Kashmiri Pundits living in Dehradun have welcomed the Government of India’s decision of scrapping Article 370 from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, they said that the security, political and social situation still needs to improve further in order for developments like resettlement of the Kashmiri Pundits.

President of Kashmiri Sabha, SK Dhar said, “As per the will of Indians, the government has scrapped Article 370. It is for the betterment of valley to live in a balanced environment. I have completed my graduation from there and there are some people in the valley who do not consider themselves a part of India. They see Indians as tourists and a source of income. The scrapping of this article has given opportunity for others also to live and settle in the valley. Although, it will take about four to five years for the practical implementation of this decision but already there are positive legal and psychological effects.”

He further said, “We always forget that previously known as the state of Jammu and Kashmir does not only comprise of the population of particular community. We have citizens in Jammu and Ladakh as well, but political leadership there used to focus only on a particular community. Article 370 helped those politicians with propaganda to radicalise a separate section there. Now people from all over the country are free to settle there, which will bring harmony and balance to the place. However, Indian government will have to deal with some resistant activities with ironhanded actions, then only practical implications of the decision will be seen.”

He also said, “During the massacre of 1990, many Kashmiri Pundits had to run from their homeland to save their lives. Now is the chance to create an atmosphere of balanced environment in the region.”