JYOTI TUTU, 57 RAJAJI TUTU, 59
Now living in Jagti Colony, Nagrota, Jammu; originally residing in Srinagar Fled the valley in April 1990
Just off the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the Jagti township in Nagrota is a sprawling colony of over 4,000 two-room houses the state government built in 2008 to be allotted to Kashmiri Pandits who had fled to Jammu. The township was among three such settlements built with central assistance—the other two being in Muthi and Purkhoo near Jammu city. Rajaji and Jyoti were fortunate to be allotted one of the flats in Jagti and moved there 12 years ago with their two daughters. The rooms may be small, but, as Jyoti says, compared to their tented accommodation, it is infinitely better.
While Rajaji was a medical representative, Jyoti was the principal of a school when the situation deteriorated rapidly for the Pandits. Jyoti recalls that when there was a cricket match, there was widespread support for Pakistan among a section of the Muslims. Hindu houses would be stoned if Pakistan lost a match. As death threats increased, they decided to flee to Jammu, where they had to face great hardships. Yet they ensured that their two daughters got a good education. “Long before Modi ji advocated Beti Padhao, we were doing it,” says Jyoti. They have not been back to the Valley so far and don’t want to either. “We don’t want to live in fear as we did before,” says Jyoti. “Nor will I allow my children to experience fear. We will sit here peacefully and chant the name of Lord Ram.”
On his part, Rajaji says he had pinned his hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but feels let down because his government has paid no heed to the demands of the Pandits. He says, “I can write it on my hand that abrogating 370 was a blunder. It is no use to us. Many Kashmiri Pandits are still looking for houses and jobs and nothing much has been done for us on these two fronts.” Rajaji believes that Kashmir as an issue will never be solved as long as Pakistan is there. “We are not destined to live in peace,” he says despondently.
“WE DON’T WANT TO [GO BACK TO THE VALLEY AND] LIVE IN FEAR. NOR WILL I ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE FEAR”