Calls for political consensus on inclusive representation, says by-election offers an opportunity to reaffirm Kashmir’s composite heritage & democratic spirit
*Srinagar, Nov 07:* JK Peace Forum Chairman and renowned socio-political Satish Mahaldar on Saturday urged the six major political formations in Jammu and Kashmir to consider supporting a credible Kashmiri Pandit candidate in the forthcoming Srinagar Parliamentary by-election, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen democratic inclusion and reaffirm the region’s shared civilisational heritage.
In a public appeal, Mahaldar called upon the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress, Peoples Conference, Apni Party, Bharatiya Janata Party including former MP Aga Ruhullah to rise above conventional electoral considerations and collectively consider nominating an educated, capable and visionary Kashmiri Pandit candidate for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency.
He said the initiative should not be viewed as an appeal for political charity, community-based privilege or reservation of political space, but as a question of democratic participation and restoring the political voice of a community that has remained displaced for more than three decades.
Referring to the 36 years of displacement, insecurity and political exclusion experienced by Kashmiri Pandits, Mahaldar said successive political parties had repeatedly spoken about their return, rehabilitation and the importance of preserving Kashmir’s composite identity. He maintained that the forthcoming by-election offered an opportunity to translate those assurances into a tangible political initiative.
“If these commitments are sincere, why should political parties hesitate to give a Kashmiri Pandit an opportunity to represent Srinagar in Parliament?” he asked, emphasising that political representation could serve as an important confidence-building measure by ensuring that the concerns of displaced citizens find a direct voice in the country’s highest democratic institution.
Mahaldar also argued that a Kashmiri Pandit representative could articulate issues concerning all sections of Kashmiri society, irrespective of religious affiliation, including employment, economic opportunities, education, healthcare, tourism, social justice, constitutional dignity and the aspirations of future generations.
Highlighting the historical and civilisational significance of the Kashmiri Pandit community, he said its intellectual, cultural and spiritual contributions were deeply woven into Kashmir’s historical identity, referring to the region’s ancient heritage as Sharda Desh. He maintained that meaningful participation of the community in public and political life was integral to preserving Kashmir’s pluralistic character.
Extending the appeal beyond political organisations, Mahaldar called upon civil society groups, intellectuals, academicians, religious leaders, business associations, youth organisations and community institutions to support the initiative. He said reconciliation and restoration of social trust could not be the responsibility of political parties alone and required a collective commitment across society.
Putting a direct challenge before the six political formations, Mahaldar asked them to demonstrate whether their repeated commitments to the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits could be translated into concrete political action.
He maintained that if the parties genuinely believed in Kashmir’s composite heritage and inclusive democratic values, they should consider building a consensus around a deserving Kashmiri Pandit candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary by-election.
Describing the proposal as an opportunity to bridge social and political divisions that have deepened since 1989, Mahaldar said Kashmir’s future should be shaped through the participation and equal dignity of all its communities.
“Let Srinagar send a message that Kashmir’s future cannot be built by excluding any part of its history, heritage or people,” he said.
The appeal concluded with a call for a united vision of “One Kashmir, Shared Civilization, Equal Dignity and Inclusive Democracy.”
