New Delhi: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) initiative for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley suffered a setback today (November 3) with the community leaders objecting to a "condition" reportedly put by Hurriyat leader Yaseen Malik that they remain "neutral in the ongoing (separatist) struggle".

The Pandit leaders raised a question mark on the initiative itself under which an NCM-backed Committee of Indian Muslim leaders visited Jammu and Kashmir last month and interacted with migrants, separatists and Muslim leaders besides Government functionaries to "create a conducive atmosphere for return" of the community to the Valley.

"We cannot even think of returning if we are asked to give up our right to expression," Kashmiri Pandit Conference president H N Jattu said reacting to Malik's "advice" conveyed to the Committee that Pandits after return "should remain neutral in the ongoing struggle, and lead a normal, peaceful life without involving themselves on either side".

"This advice amounts to asking us to live the life of second-class citizens and do whatever they ask us to," he said after attending a meeting of the members of NCM and the Committee along representatives of other Kashmiri Pandit groups.

He said Kashmiri Pandits would go back at their own terms and without any conditions being put by anyone, including the Government and the separatists.

PTI