‘All governments must note that without the Kashmiri Pandits and their active involvement, Kashmir can never return to its original peaceful character and glory. Kashmiri Pandits have a major role to play in restoring peace and normalcy in the valley – socially and politically.
Different parties – countries and politicians – define the Kashmir problem differently, based on their respective vested interests and skewed perspectives; as such, there is no one definition. As for the Kashmiri Pandits, they have lost their home and as for the Kashmiri Muslims, they have lost peace. It makes sense that the people from the two Kashmiri communities interact and strive to regain what they have lost, and not wait for any politicians and / or governments to meddle. Beware of politicians; they feed and thrive on divisions and strife. The activists from either side must keep the role of politicians limited to the extent of only facilitating the people to meet.
Force does not bring hearts and minds together, interaction and mutual trust building exercise between the people does. The onus, therefore, lies truly on the people. Kashmiri people from both sides – the Pandits and the Muslims – must extend a warm hand of friendship towards one another and start a trust-building movement, and finally embrace one another.’ …Bill K Koul