Padmashree Bob Blackman MP in the UK Parliament tabled an early day motion in commemoration of Kashmiri Pandits Balidan Divas on 14 September in the Parliament.
The early day motion in UK Parliament stated, “That this House commemorates with deep sadness the Martyrdom Day of Kashmiri Hindus on 14 September, having lost their lives to cross-border Islamic Jehad on the population of Jammu and Kashmir, India; Expresses its condolences to the families and friends of all those who were killed, raped and injured in this act of genocide; Is concerned that the Kashmiris who fled to save life and limb have still not secured justice for the atrocities committed against them; Commends the resilience and courage shown by the members of Kashmiri Pandit community who survived this gruesome ethnic genocide; Recognises the role of Panun Kashmir in campaigning for the rights of Hindus in Kashmir, and Urges the Government of India to legislate a Genocide Crime Punishment Law in fulfilment of their International obligation by being a proposer and signatory to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”
Bob Blackman has been vocal about the plight of the Hindus in Kashmir for nearly three decades and has campaigned for their rights.
14 September is commemorated by Kashmiri Pandits as Martyr’s day. It was on this day when their tallest leader Tika Lal Taploo was assassinated by Terrorists in Kashmir. That was followed by spree of killings of minority Kashmiri Pandits which eventually led to their exodus from Kashmir in 1990.
