Ways and means to preserve the identity and culture of Kashmiri Pandits, the minority community of the valley which has been displaced from their homeland following terrorist activities since 1989, will top the agenda of a conference of Kashmiri pandits. The two-day meet, which is beginning in New Delhi on Monday, will also discuss other issues like demand of the Jammu and Kashmir government for greater autonomy and the recently-passed J&K Resettlement Act.
"With every passing day, the community moves closer to extinction," said Sunil Shakdher, President of Kashmiri Samiti, a frontline organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, which is organising the conference.
"The community has been dispersed so wide that the question of the preservation of its identity assumes much significance," he said, adding "in fact, the Kashmiri Pandit community can justifiably be listed as an endangered species." He said the issue of "prevention of erosion" of the community's identity "needs to be handled with care and on priority basis."
Senior leaders and intellectuals of the community will also deliberate on the current political developments relating to the home state.
"Voices are being raised at regular intervals for grant of greater autonomy to the state. The community believes it is a sinister move to weaken the links of the state with the Centre with the ultimate objective of totally snapping them," Shakdher said.
The future course of action to be adopted by the community will also be deliberated upon. Bureau Report