NEW DELHI: Hundreds of members from the Kashmiri Pandit community and supporters marched silently in the heart of Delhi today, October 28, advocating for the immediate release of essential monetary support that has been withheld since April 2024. Organized by the Kashmiri Samiti Delhi (KSD) alongside several Delhi-based organizations, the peaceful march spotlighted the prolonged struggles of the community, who have been living in exile since their forced displacement from Kashmir in 1990.
The silent procession began at Mori Gate Metro Station at 2:00 PM, with demonstrators moving toward the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat in Civil Lines. The aim was clear: to urge the government to act swiftly in resuming the stalled financial aid vital to the survival and stability of these families, many of whom have endured hardships for over three decades.
Participants expressed frustration and distress at the delay in funds, citing that it has further strained the lives of already vulnerable community members. The monetary support, typically disbursed to aid displaced Kashmiri Pandit families, has been a crucial lifeline, particularly in addressing basic needs, education, and healthcare.
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KSD, which has been at the forefront of championing Kashmiri Pandit rights, emphasized that the withholding of funds has aggravated the socioeconomic conditions faced by the community. “This financial aid is not a privilege but a necessity, given the hardships our community has endured,” stated a KSD representative. “We are not asking for luxury but for survival.”
The silent march is also a reminder to the Government of India and the National Capital Territory of Delhi about the ongoing, unresolved challenges faced by Kashmiri Pandits. The protest seeks attention from media outlets and civil rights advocates to highlight the need for government action to address the demands of the displaced community.
The march is expected to conclude at the L.G. Secretariat, with the KSD and supporting organizations delivering a memorandum to the officials, urging the immediate release of the funds.