Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reaffirmed the Central government’s resolve to ensure the dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley, pledging to dismantle all barriers to this long-standing goal.
Speaking at a Navreh celebration in Jammu on Sunday evening, Sinha outlined ongoing efforts to foster a supportive environment, signaling a renewed push for a community displaced since the 1990s insurgency.
“The government is committed to the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley,” Sinha declared. “The Central government is actively working on this. We are creating the necessary conditions and will eliminate all obstacles to make it possible.” Addressing the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha gathering, he urged a mutual effort, saying, “This should happen from both sides. I appeal to you to decide—the government in Delhi wants you to return and settle there soon.”
Sinha emphasized practical steps to ease the transition, promising to improve conditions further. He assured employees under the Prime Minister’s Package—offering jobs and support to returning Pandits—that they would receive equal benefits as other Jammu and Kashmir government staff, addressing a key concern for those resettling.
Since 2008, around 5,200 Pandits have returned under this scheme, though many cite persistent security fears and limited infrastructure as hurdles.
The lieutenant governor also celebrated the community’s legacy, calling Jammu and Kashmir “blessed with spiritual energy” shaped by Kashmiri Pandits’ millennia-long presence. He praised their contributions to the region’s growth and nation-building, urging remembrance of their luminaries.
“The efforts of Kashmiri Pandit organizations and the values they instill in the youth assure me this vibrant culture will endure,” he noted.
Tying the occasion to broader themes, Sinha encouraged celebrating Navratri’s nine days as “Nari Shakti Utsav,” advocating for equal opportunities for women. “Navreh and Navratri embody unity in diversity,” he said, calling for a collective pledge to strengthen social bonds for Jammu and Kashmir’s welfare. As he extended greetings for a hopeful year ahead, Sinha’s words underscored a vision of reconciliation and renewal amid a complex historical backdrop.