Govt serious about dignified return of Kashmiri pandits

Srinagar, Aug 30 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government was serious about dignified return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits to their homes, Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma said.

He said migrant Kashmiri Pandits should return to their homes and hearths in view of changing political and social scenario of the state.

Mr Sharma said the age old ethos of Kashmiri composite culture witnessed a setback when majority Kashmiri Pandit families migrated to other parts of the country, following the outbreak of militancy in early 90s.

Now, he added, Kashmiri Muslims and Sikhs are also eager for the return of the migrant Kashmiri pandits to their homes in the valley.

The minister was addressing ''Yagya'' function organised at Sun Temple Nabal Mattan in south Kashmir, in connection with 8th anniversary of late Pandit P N Shastri, who was an eminent astrologist.

The ''Yagya'' was attended by thousands of Kashmiri Pandits who had come from other parts of the country, besides local muslims.

Almost all mainstream political parties besides separatist organisations have time and again appealed to the Pandits to return to their homes.

In the recent past, thousands of Pandits, living in Jammu, Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country, visited different shrines, including Khir Bhawani and Bijbehara temple.

Thousands visited a temple at Bijbehara, which was reopened only on August 28.

UNI