Road to justice for Pandits beyond 'The Kashmir Files'

New Delhi, March 20 Longing for justice for over three decades, just two months ago, the original inhabitants of Kashmir the Kashmiri Pandits completed 32 years of pain and mistrust on January 19.

The pointless debates, virtual scuffles, allegations, counter allegations, "it was Jagmohan", "No, it was Farooq Abdullah" the as expected discussions swarmed the television channels, just like every year.

Warring camps accused each other and the dust settled in a day. After a day-long brainstorming debate, people forgot everything and the election fever took over the talks of sufferings of the Pandits.

Then, on March 11, Vivek Agnihotri-directed 'The Kashmir Files' hit the screens, yet again, starting the same cycle of discussions sans the most vital point of 'justice'.

But this time, something was different. The movie shook the sleeping consciousness of the country to its core and day after day it became the talk of the town.

The film depicted the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits in a quite blunt way.

Director Agnihotri says that several movies had been made on Kashmir after the advent of terrorism, but they usually "romanticised terrorism" and never spoke about the atrocities on the Kashmiri Hindus.

There is no doubt that the film gave the countrymen a glimpse of what exactly happened in the northernmost state of India in late 80s and early 90s. But will a movie give justice to the terror-hit minority community? Agnihotri has played its part, now the ball is in the government's court, though it always was!

But over three decades have passed since the original inhabitants of Kashmir faced brutal atrocities. So why not the cases be investigated now?

Delving further deep into the legalities of securing justice for the Kashmiri Pandit community, contacted some legal minds that pointed ways that may lead the migrants on the path of justice.

"It is a fact that Kashmiri Pandits were kidnapped, physically assaulted, raped, bruttally murdered and the genocide happened. And what if 30 years have passed. As far as the right to justice is concerned, there is no time limit for it," said Supreme Court Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay.

Upadhyay told that the victims of the "Hindu genocide in Kashmir" should first approach the head of the State where the attrocities were commited against them i.e., Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.

"It would be more appropriate if victims approach the LG, rather than social activists or politic," the advocate averred.

Upadhyay said the Kashmiri Pandits should demand an NIA investigation from the J&K LG.

"I believe it will be the most effective investigation as there is massive violence and foreign funding," the lawyer said.

As the Kashmiri Pandit community is now displaced in every part of the country, Upadhyay said they can at least send a mail, if they are not able to physically meet the LG Sinha.

"And if LG does not reply or act on the request, then they must approach the High Court directly," he said, adding if HC also does not provide them any relief, then they may move the Supreme Court then.

"I am ready to fight Kashmir Genocide Case in the Supreme Court, free of cost," Upadhyay noted.

Notably, not every member of the Pandit community faced physical brutality, yet the exodus had its impact on the migrants in different ways.

In that case, the Supreme Court lawyer said the injury is not always physical, "it can be social, financial and mental trauma as well".

"Even issuing a death threat is a crime chargeable under section 506

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