Panun Kashmir adopts written constitution, seeks separate homeland with UT status in Valley

Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri pandits, has adopted a written constitution, marking a historic institutional transition aimed at preserving its ideological and organisational continuity.

Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri pandits demanding a separate homeland with the Union territory status within the Valley, on Sunday formally adopted its written constitution, marking what the organisation described as a historic institutional transition aimed at preserving its ideological and organisational continuity.

The constitution was passed at a convention of activists, senior members and community observers in Jammu.

The day-long convention was conducted by Panun Kashmir leader Nitin Dhar, who said the adoption of the constitution would serve as ''a bridge between memory and future generations'' and ensure that the struggle of Kashmiri Hindus remained institutionally anchored beyond individuals and circumstances.

Delivering the keynote constitutional lecture, chairman Tito Ganju described the occasion as ''a constitutional rebirth of institutional resolve''.

He said that the codification institutionalised the movement's commitment towards the establishment of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Hindus in the east and north of Vitasta river within the Kashmir Valley under Indian sovereignty.

Following deliberations, each article of the constitution was placed before the assembly and adopted unanimously through voice vote, Ganju said.

A ceremonial pooja of the constitution was later performed, after which members signed the constitutional affirmation register.

In his welcome address, organising secretary Behari Lal Kaul reflected on the historical and spiritual relationship of Kashmiri Hindus with Kashmir and described the organisation as a collective civilisational resolve to reclaim political agency, dignity and secure existence within the framework of Indian sovereignty.

General secretary Kuldeep Raina termed the shift from an unwritten to a written constitution a sign of organisational maturity and said the movement had survived for decades through ideological conviction and collective discipline despite the absence of codified institutional mechanisms.

Subsequently, elections were conducted before the assembly in which Agnishekhar was elected convenor, Tito Ganju chairman and Kshama Kaul as chairperson of Kashmira Vahini.

Sanjay Raina, Ravinder Gurtoo and Kamal Hak were each elected vice chairmen, while Kuldeep Raina was elected general secretary and Behari Lal Kaul, the organising secretary.

Pyare Lal Pandita was elected secretary finance, MK Dhar publicity secretary and Kanwal Pezhin sultural secretary.

The convention also elected Pyare Lal Kaul Budgami as chief advisor and Pyare Lal Raina as advisor to the organisation.

Observer, BL Zutshi said Panun Kashmir remained ''the only realistic and durable solution capable of guaranteeing the survival, dignity and political security of Kashmiri Hindus within Kashmir.''.

In his concluding address, Agnishekhar described the adoption of the written constitution as ''a defining institutional and civilisational moment in the collective journey of Kashmiri Hindus'' and said it would ensure that future generations inherited a structured constitutional mission rooted in historical truth and civilisational continuity.

He also announced that the organisation would undertake an 'Ayodhya Yatra' in September 2026 and called upon activists and youth to intensify ideological outreach and organisational discipline.