New Delhi: Roots in Kashmir, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit organization, has strongly condemned the recent interfaith dialogue organized by the Anjuman Interfaith Dialogue Chapter, calling it a “sham” for excluding minority communities. The group accused organizers of deliberately sidelining Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus, and Buddhists while including separatist-leaning leaders, claiming this reflects ongoing efforts to erase their identity.
Senior activist Rahul Mahanoori questioned the event’s credibility, asking how an interfaith dialogue could ignore Jammu & Kashmir’s indigenous Hindu community. Spokesperson Amit Raina went further, labeling it an attempt to unify Islamic factions under a “single narrative” rather than promote genuine harmony. The group reiterated concerns about “continuing ethnic cleansing,” citing the participation of figures like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Waheed Parra as evidence of the dialogue’s political agenda.
The criticism highlights persistent tensions in the region, where Kashmiri Pandits remain displaced decades after the 1990s exodus. While organizers framed the event as promoting Khomeini’s ideals of unity, Roots in Kashmir maintains such initiatives only deepen divisions by excluding minority voices. No official response has been issued by the government or dialogue organizers to the allegations.
