In 1990, Kashmiri Pandits were suddenly rendered homeless and forced to leave their home land due to the prevalence of terrorism. In the month of February 1990 Kashmiri Pandits under the leadership of Amarnath Vaishnavi and ASKPC, in coordination with BJP & RSS , launched an organization called “J K Sahayata Samiti.” The organization was set up to rehabilitate the Pandit community.
Shri Kidar Nath Sahini, then General Secretary All India BJP and Incharge of Jammu & Kashmir declared the formation of J K Sahayita Samiti. Shri.Vaid Vishu Dutt was the President ,Shri. Chaman Lal Gupta & Shri. Amarnath Vaishnavi were Vice Presidents, Shri. Subash Gupta General Secretary, Shri. H.L. Chatta Secretary, Sh. M.L.Malla & Sh. Harji Lal Jad executive members.
Financial aid to Kashmiri Pandits
J K Sahayata samiti started the registration of the displaced Pandits even before the government did. This was the first step towards rehabilitation. Pandit Vaishnavi drew the attention of all on the decision of Punjab High Court’s decision of the late 1980s providing financial assistance to the victims of militancy in Punjab. Shri Kidar Nath Sawney and all other members agreed with his proposal that a demand be put before the government of the day for sanctioning monthly financial assistance to the victims of Kashmir who were forcefully thrown out on the Punjab pattern. Immediately after this meeting Shri Kidar Nath Sawhney, Shri Vaishnavi and Shri Heeralal Chatta met the Governor of the state, Shri Jagmohan in this regard. Governor called the meeting of the bureaucrats within days and it was decided that the directives of Punjab High Court providing monthly financial assistance to the victims of the militancy in Punjab be followed in Jammu and Kashmir also. The financial assistance continues till date.
Make shift Colleges and schools for migrants
Young Kashmiris, had no school or college to study in after their displacement. It was the initiative of Amarnath Vaishnavi , under the aegis of J K Sahayata samiti to negotiate with the government and collaborate with the educationists among the Pandit community which resulted in a make shift arrangement whereby schools and colleges were started in the existing school and college buildings of Jammu in an afternoon shift. This was achieved after a long period of struggle and support from Mr. Vijay Bakaya who was the Divisional Commissioner at that time.
Reservations for Kashmiri Pandit students
Next in line was the reservation of seats in educational institutions, all over India for Kashmiri migrants. Pandit Vaishnavi headed to Mumbai with Mr. Hiralal Bhat and met the Shiv Sena leadership to convince them to offer reservations in Maharashtra. The task was difficult and required months of negotiations and persuasion and finally they achieved success. Maharashtra was the first state to offer reservations to Kashmiri migrants in educational institutions. Later Pandit Vaishnavi and his team travelled all over the country and convinced BJP led states to initiate reservations for migrant students. They were again successful after long and enduring struggle. Subsequently, during the BJP led government at the center, under the leadership of Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Vaishnavi and his associates met Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi, then minister of HRD. They together negotiated with other state governments to follow the same model. Today, education has saved the Pandit community from poverty and degeneration. The reservations continue to exist today after thirty years, all over India.
Arranging tents and later one room apartments
Kashmiri Pandits had no homes to live in. Pandit Vaishnavi, Pandit Hiralal Chatta and other associates became a conduit between the government and the Kashmiris and negotiated for the setting up of tents. After some years when the tents were torn, they again persuaded the government to provide one room tenaments to the displaced Pandits.
Amarnath Vaishnavi Foundation 