When Kashmiri Pandits were at Crossroads during 1971 Election !

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

It was March 1971 Parliamentary elections for the Fifth Lok Sabha when Kashmiri Pandits were  finding themselves at the crossroads……..Their indecisiveness  had pushed them  in a  struggle between “reactionary and communal forces’’ on one hand and “Progressive and Democratic Elements’’ on the other hand.

This awkward situation had prompted a leading newspaper of the State (Daily Excelsior) to issue an appeal to the entire community of Kashmiri Pandits, through its editorial dated February 28, 1971.

While hailing Kashmiri Pandits   for their legacy and always having played a unique role in shaping the future of the Nation, the Editorial had hoped that “ a farsighted community’’ will choose a correct path and lend the weight on the side which is expected to strengthen Country’s freedom and impart her stability’’

Pandits of Srinagar Constituency

The newspaper had specifically mentioned about Srinagar Constituency where the “wisdom of the Pandits was on the test’’.  The Editor had expressed his optimism that the members of this community would not be swayed by the cheap slogans’’.

The Editorial concluded with some of these lines… “ Though it looks impertinent to give a word of advice to the members of this versatile community, yet we feel it our duty to remind them of their responsibility…… We trust the Pandits would visualise the future of the country in proper perspective and act wisely after mature and careful consideration’’.

What had prompted the newspaper to issue an appeal to the community through its Editorial is not exactly known but experts opine that in 1971, Kashmiri Pandits were considered a force to reckon with and the political class of that era knew about their importance.

For some, Kashmiri Pandits may now be redundant in the present ongoing Lok Sabha elections of 2024, but this was not a case in 1971 when India went for General Elections held between first and 10^th  March to elect members of the Fifth Lok Sabha.