A MOTION to mark the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir 25 years ago was tabled in the House of Commons last week.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who supported by four MPs, tabled the Early Day Motion (EDM) on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of British Hindus.
The EDM reads: "That this House commemorates with deep sadness the 25th anniversary of the attack in January 1990 by cross-border Islamic militants on the population of Jammu and Kashmir; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of all those who were killed, raped and injured in this massacre.
It also "condemns the desecration of the holiest sites in Jammu and Kashmir; further expresses its concern that the Kashmiris who fled to save life and limb have still not secured justice for the atrocities committed against them; deplores those sponsoring such cross-border terrorist attacks and demands they cease immediately.
"…the international principle of the responsibility to protect obliges individual states and the international community to take effective measures to prevent the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity as seen against the Kashmiri Hindu community."
EDMs are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. While very few are actually debated, they are a way for British MPs to draw attention to an event or cause.
A memorial event was also held at the House of Commons earlier this week, supported by the All Party Parliamentary Group of British Hindus and co-sponsored by Blackman and Virendra Sharma MP from Labour to offer tribute to the those who lost their lives during the exodus.