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| Comeback awaited | | 
By B L Saraf
Ghar Wapsi (homecoming) calls are blearing out of the megaphones of leaders who trade in religious sensibilities of the believers, exhorting the ‘recalcitrant' to return. Reasons are invented and arguments devised, to woo the wanderers to their fold. For some, Ghar Wapsi means returning to the Nationalism. While as others believe that Almighty has ordained only one faith on the earth, to which the `misguided' should return who `aimlessly walks ' in other `so called' beliefs. In return to their original faith, these leaders foresee salvation for the returnee. The call of Ghar Wapsi given, ad nauseam, by the sectarian leaders has polluted the conception of home coming. Home is always associated with a warmth, sense of belonging and fulfilment. No wonder, it a cherished dream of every person to have a home. That is why the maiden entry to a home is called `Home Warming' or `Grah Pravesh'. However, the convoluted definition of Ghar and a divisive call, loaded with ulterior motives, given to return has taken away the feeling of warmth and evaporated the sense of well being.
Weather these calls are responded by the `faithful' or not is a matter to be watched. There, however, are people waiting for a real ghar wapsi call. The exile of Kashmir have been roaming, homeless, in the wilderness for a period much longer than twenty years. For them, it is miserable to feel homeless – without address and out of familiar environs. French philosopher Jean Janet has this to say for them “ I am with homeless so long they are homeless. I will not be with them when they find their home.” Loss of home for the exile means a disconnect with the roots, heritage and civilization. He longs for restoration of such a connection.
The idea of home is always in the thoughts ; so much that even in some of their vacant moments its loss haunts displaced Pandits badly. Music of the birthplace always rings sweet in mind and the heart. So, a sincere call from the birth place is always welcome. Though positive signals have been coming for some time, in this regard, but they must be accompanied with a sense of security . For that bland words will not suffice. Some sort of action is required which must, primarily come from the state. The separatists, too, have a role in the business. They must desist from drawing uncalled for parallels between the return of Pandits to their home in the Valley and the settlement of Jews in the disputed areas of Palestine. Simultaneously, a call to return should go to youth of Kashmir, where ever they are presently, to return to the glorious traditions of Kashmir - striking feature of which has been a belief in pluralism. Pluralistic societies, in the words of Karim Agha Khan - 1V, are not accidents of history. They are products of enlightened education. We need a wapsi call to the Ghar of ‘enlightened education'.
The Ghar Wapsi call has to be shorn of the conditions and misplaced parallels. Is anyone among his fellow natives, in the Valley, ready to issue such a home returning call to his displaced neighbour . The exile will wait for such a call, with a fond hope appropriately expressed by the poet ;
Khaloos e dil say joe pukarey aikbaar mujhe
Ues aadmi kaa hai abhi tak intezaar mujhe
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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Editor, Scoop News
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