Jammu, Oct 18 Four books authored by Kashmiri Pandits, exploring exile, cultural memory and the quest for justice, were released here on Sunday.
The release function was organised by the Jonaraja Institute of Genocide and Atrocities Studies (JIGAS) in association with Epilogue News Network, a spokesperson for Panun Kashmir said.
The books released were ‘Udas Vyeth’ by Bharat Dass, ‘Henzey Vanvun’ by Kanwal Peshin, ‘Nirvasan Nama’ by Deepak Sopori, and ‘Unfinished Quest for Justice’ by Ravinder Gurtoo, he said.
The programme brought together writers, scholars, academicians and public figures to discuss the role of literature in documenting displacement, preserving the cultural heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community and keeping its collective memory alive, the spokesperson said.
Dass and Sopori recited poems from their respective books, reflecting on exile, loss and the enduring bond with their ancestral homeland. Peshin dedicated his book to his mother and recited a traditional Kashmiri ‘wanwun’, highlighting the importance of oral traditions in preserving cultural identity.
Panun Kashmir convenor Agnishekhar emphasised the importance of literature in documenting displacement and preserving the historical memory of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
He also highlighted the responsibility of writers and scholars to record the community’s experiences and ensure that its history, cultural loss and continuing quest for justice remain part of public discourse.
Relief Commissioner Arvind Kirwani, who also attended the programme, brought an administrative perspective to the discussion on displacement, drawing attention to the institutional dimensions of the challenges faced by displaced families and the continuing relevance of rehabilitation, welfare and the preservation of community identity.
The programme highlighted the intellectual work of JIGAS in advancing genocide and atrocities studies through an Indic perspective, the spokesperson said.
Drawing inspiration from the historical writings of Jonaraja and the conceptual framework of Jatividhvans, the institute encourages inquiry into mass violence, cultural disruption, historical continuity and the experiences of affected communities.
(PTI News)
