Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo has been active in the public field in Kashmir since childhood and contributed to the pro-democracy movement during the 1975 emergency era in India. Joined student agitation and worked underground for restoration of fundamental rights. As a youth activist organized a number of conventions of Kashmiri Pandit youth in the Kashmir Valley. Worked extensively for the uprooted members of the Hindu community during the exodus period in 1989-90 and was a founder member of the Homeland movement. Took the case of Kashmiri Hindus to the National Human Rights Commission of India in 1994 and fought it there for 8 years consequent upon which the NHRC passed its order in 1999. Made a number of presentations before the government and non-government forums including human rights bodies, national and international conferences, domestic and foreign delegations, media and universities about the genocide, exodus and ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Kashmir. Mr. Chrungoo has met with three Prime Ministers of India regarding the Kashmiri issues. Also, worked as Representative Observer for Jammu and Kashmir of Global Human Rights Defense. Led and contributed a number of mass programs of agitations and demonstrations during the last two decades. Mr. Chrungoo has received a number of felicitations and awards in the field of public life and particularly in recognition of services to the community of the Kashmiri Pandits and human rights. He was recently awarded VISHISHT KASHMIRI PANDIT SAMMAN on 5th April 2008 at Jammu-India. On a tour of the USA, while in Boston area where Mr. Chrungoo participated in a conference on Kashmir as a panelist discussing and exploring the relationship between religion and Kashmiri tangle, our correspondent met with him for an interview for our readers.

Could you describe your organization?

I belong to Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM). It is a political frontline organization of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus. It is dedicated to the cause of human and political rights of the displaced people of Kashmir. It represents the geo-political aspirations of the Hindus and other minorities of Kashmir.

How did you get involved and why did you choose to lead this effort?

The issues of concern regarding the displacement of Kashmiri Hindu community due to Islamic terrorism was the guiding factor that involved all of us in 1989-90 in this movement. The organization gave a mandate to me through a democratic process to lead the movement for which I was mentally and spiritually prepared.

What are the top 5 things you would like the world to know about the struggle?


i) Kashmiri Pandits being the indigenous people of Kashmir have a natural and first claim on the territory of Kashmir.
ii) The Pandit community has been a victim of genocide, ethnic cleansing and exodus at the hands of the Islamic fundamentalist and terrorist groups in Kashmir.
iii) The displacement of Kashmiri Hindus is the manifestation of a historical intent of Kashmiri Muslims for Islamic colonization of Kashmir.
iv) Co-existence was always refused to the Pandits of Kashmir by the majority community of Kashmiri Muslims who were extended support by the state of Pakistan to make Kashmir an issue of dispute. The so-called freedom movement of Kashmir is actually a fundamentalist movement, which has no place for minorities. The Amarnath row has further clarified the issue.
v) A homeland be carved out in Kashmir valley for the indigenous people of Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindus. This homeland be governed by the constitution of India in letter and spirit and declared a Union territory in which the community be resettled with its political and administrative power in its own hands.

Given the new attention on Pakistani terrorism with the west viewing Pakistan in a similar light to India, has it made a difference in the struggle?
              

This has added one more dimension to our struggle i.e., to impress upon the world that India cannot be equated in this manner with Pakistan. Pakistan is the epicenter of terror and terror structures while India has been at the receiving end over the last 30 years. We need to understand that Pakistan is an aggressor while India is facing its aggression over the last 60 years.

Wolf Blitzer asked the Pakistani Ambassador why the resources the US is giving is being diverted to defenses against India rather than investing in finishing terrorism. No satisfactory answer was given. Considering that most of the training camps are in POK does it make sense for NRI lobbies to work with the US at this time to push for clearing up of terrorism in Kashmir?


In context of its history, we should expect Pakistan to behave in such a manner. However, efforts to end terrorism make a sense always. Terrorism is a major threat to the world peace. We need to put our all resources together to make Kashmir a peaceful zone. But the issue of Kashmiri Pandits cannot be overlooked who have more than 5000 years of written history of living in Kashmir and have borne the brunt of terrorism in Kashmir.

Assuming a central government sympathetic to the Pandits cause, what is the realistic proposal for the future of Kashmir?
 

The Government is expected to honor the Parliamentary resolution on Kashmir passed in 1994. A geo-political dispensation for the Pandit community can alone make resettlement of the Pandit community possible in Kashmir. In this connection, the Central government ought to initiate a dialogue process with the representatives of Kashmir to discuss the Homeland demand.

Could you tell us about your writings?


I have been instrumental in compiling a number of Reports on Human Rights pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and the displaced Pandits of Kashmir. I have contributed scores of articles on politics and human rights to the newspapers, magazines and journals across the country. Main published works (in the shape of books) include: REPORT (On human rights violations in Kashmir), KASHMIR DOCUMENTATION-Pandits in Exile, Report on Minority Human Rights Situation in Jammu and Kashmir (5 Reports). At present, I am working on a book on displacement.


Could you describe the interesting journeys you have undertaken in your life?


I have extensively traveled in India, visiting various places a number of times in connection with the organizational work. Recently, I have conducted a very successful political pilgrimage in India named SANKALP YATRA in November-December 2007. This historic 50-day and 7,000 km journey started from Srinagar-Kashmir on 11th November 2007 and covered 11 States of India. Main focus of the Yatra was on: Kashmir issue and terrorism, Exodus and displacement of Kashmiri Pandits and other minorities of Kashmir and their present status, Human rights situation of minorities in Jammu & Kashmir state and Demand of Homeland for Hindu minorities of Kashmir. Additionally, I have made presentations overseas in: UK, The Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.

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