INDIAN Hindus forced out of Muslim-majority Kashmir decades ago are jubilant at the government's decision to allow all citizens the right to settle there, with many considering an eventual return home if conditions are secure.
Aiming to integrate the region fully into India, prime minister Narendra Modi's government has scrapped rules restricting property purchases, state jobs, and college places to residents only.
"It is a welcome first step," said Surinder Koul, international coordinator of the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, which represents displaced Hindus from the region.
Hundreds of thousands were forced out of Kashmir, losing homes and many lives, when a revolt erupted against Indian rule in 1989.
Many of them were Hindu minorities - known as Kashmiri Pandits - who later lived in camps across India.
Most have not gone back. Now they want the government to propose a concrete plan for their resettlement.
A 2015 blueprint by Kashmir's local government to resettle Pandits proposed guarded colonies with schools, malls, hospitals and playgrounds, people with knowledge of the plan said.
Many from the community rejected that, saying it was insufficient to ensure their security.
Despite Hindu delight at Modi's move, rapid resettlement does not look likely. Ashok Hak, a Kashmiri Hindu and retired brigadier general in the Indian army, said any return would depend on how Kashmiris react.
Hours before Monday’s (5) decision, Indian authorities arrested local leaders and cut off mobile, internet and cable television networks to prevent protests.
"For some time there will be trouble there, but in the past India has controlled such unrest," said Hak, who lives close to New Delhi.
The Pandit community says nearly 400,000 of them had to flee Kashmir.
Many want accountability for violence back then.
"Finally Kashmiri minorities, particularly the Kashmiri Pandits, will receive justice," Vijay K Sazawal, representing the Indo-American Kashmir Forum, said in a statement.
The Global Kashmiri Pandits Diaspora praised Modi's move as a vindication of their members' aspirations.
"It brightens the prospect of a return to their homeland with honour and dignity and restitution according to their free will," it said.
(Reuters)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)