Pandits protest NFSA merger in Jammu, clash with police over identity erasure
Jammu: Displaced Kashmiri Pandits staged a protest in Jammu against the authorities’ move to strip them of their distinct identity by merging their relief rations into the National Food Security Act and placing them in the general category of Hindus. The demonstration led to clashes with police as protesters marched towards the Relief Commissioner’s office.
According to Kashmir Media Service, hundreds of members of the displaced community, including residents of Jagti, Purkhoo, Nagrota and Muthi migrant camps, assembled outside the Relief Commissioner’s office and raised slogans against the move.
The protest, backed by groups like United Alliance of Kashmiri Displaced Community, Panun Kashmir, and Shiv Sena, turned tense when a heavy police contingent stopped the march, triggering scuffles and pushing. Police used force to disperse the crowd, after which protesters staged a sit-in and raised anti-government slogans.
Community leaders termed the deduction in the name of NFSA a “black law” and a “trap” to dilute their identity as displaced persons survivors. “For 36 years, Kashmiri Pandits have suffered after their displacement, and now under NFSA, our identity is being diluted,” said Panun Kashmir convenor Dr Agnishaker.
He demanded recognition of their distinct identity as internally displaced persons in the upcoming census, warning, “If our identity is not included, it will amount to erasing Kashmiri Pandits forever.” Another leader, Arvind Kaul, said their fundamental right to peaceful protest was being curtailed and sought continuation of the existing relief system and permanent rehabilitation. “We neither have homes nor our homeland, yet are being asked to register Kashmir as permanent address,” he said.
Sunil Kumar, another community leader, vowed to continue the struggle until a dignified resolution is achieved. “We strongly oppose these laws being imposed on us repeatedly,” he said. The administration began integrating migrant ration cards into NFSA in early 2026. Officials said over 17,500 cards have been integrated as of April 2026, with more than 50,000 families set to be included.
Protesters warned of a larger agitation if the decision is not rolled back, demanding the authorities focus on rehabilitation in Kashmir rather than altering the relief mechanism.
