Resolve to resettle Kashmiri Hindus in Valley, says Hosabale

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale stated on Wednesday that a “sankalp” (resolve) was made during the Navreh programme for resettling Kashmiri Hindu families in the near future.

“During this three-day programme on Navreh, a ‘sankalp’ was taken that in the coming days, families (Hindu) will be resettled in Kashmir again and Navreh will be celebrated with joy next year,” he announced, adding that the government should take steps to create an environment for their return to the Valley. He said that Hindus from Kashmir have faced troubles for many years but have reached an important point now. “Our Hindu brothers and sisters, who have lived in Kashmir for many years, have overcome many crises and have progressed towards development,” he said. Kashmiri Hindus had been forced to migrate due to terrorism in the Valley close to three decades ago. Speaking at the concluding event of the three-day Navreh Mahotsav, Hosabale said that there was a special purpose for organizing the festivities as Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh stand at an important point in history. He termed the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A as a milestone and said that the government was carrying out tasks for development of the region which had been pending for several years. He also recalled the sacrifices made by Indian security forces while fighting terrorism in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hosabale also emphasised on the values of love, devotion, determination and valour as crucial for the development and upliftment of any society, specifically mentioning the valour of the 8th century king of Kashmir, Lalitaditya Muktapida. “It (India) was a ‘sone ki chidiya’ (golden bird). There was wealth and prosperity here. Foreign attackers invaded India to loot its wealth. They felt that no other religions should exist on the planet, that their religion was the only religion. There was heavy bloodshed. Our ancestors fought these foreign attackers for years and never conceded defeat. Lalitaditya was one such leader,” he said.