Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that there are no restrictions preventing Kashmiri Pandits from returning to the Valley, asserting that several members of the community continue to live there peacefully.

His remarks came as Kashmiri Pandits held protests while observing January 19 as ‘Exodus Day’, commemorating their mass displacement from Kashmir in 1990 following threats from Pakistan-backed militants.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said the return of Pandits to the Valley was not being obstructed. “Who is stopping them from coming back? No one. They are free to return and live here. Many Pandits are already living in the Valley. While others left, they chose to stay,” he said.

Responding to demands for a structured rehabilitation policy for displaced Pandits, the National Conference leader said efforts had been planned during his tenure but could not be implemented after his government lost power. “When I was in office, I had promised housing for them. But then we were voted out. Now it is for Delhi to take a decision,” he said, referring to the Union government.

Kashmiri Pandits mark January 19 each year as Holocaust Remembrance Day or Exodus Day to remember the circumstances that led to their forced departure more than three decades ago.

Abdullah also commented on recent remarks made by music composer A R Rahman regarding the Hindi film industry. He said that growing divisions along religious lines were harming the country’s social fabric.

“For the past few years, a fire of hatred has been deliberately lit in India. Hindus and Muslims are being divided to win elections,” Abdullah said.

The debate began after Rahman, in an interview with BBC Asian Network, said that his work in Bollywood had slowed down in recent years and linked it to changes within the industry over the past eight years. His comments drew mixed reactions from fans and film personalities.

Following the controversy, Rahman posted a video message on Instagram, in which he spoke about his deep connection with India and its cultural diversity, without directly addressing the criticism.

“Music has always been my way of connecting, celebrating and honouring culture. India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home,” Rahman said. He added that his intention had always been to uplift and serve through music, and that he never wished to hurt sentiments.

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“I feel blessed to be Indian, where freedom of expression exists and multicultural voices are celebrated,” he said.