Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: The July 13 was observed as Black Day by Kashmiri Pandits and various other organisations today.
Commemorating the persecution inflicted upon Kashmiri Hindus on 13th July 1931, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, (ASKPC) observed the day as Black Day along with Panun Kashmir and other social organisations here today. Click here to watch video
It held a massive protest demonstration outside the Rajbhawan here in which besides the ASKPC, president, Ravinder Raina and other leaders, (PK) activists led by Dr Agnishekhar and Dr Ajay Chrungoo and a large number of community members, including all socio-political organisations, participated. It was on this darkest day of 13th July 1931 when the communal & anti national elements laid the deep foundation of their sinister designs, in the pious land of Kashyap Rishi. With a mayhem orchestrated by the conspirators of violence & anarchy, Kashmiri Hindus were murdered, their properties looted & burnt down and psychologically intimidated with physical bashings & verbal abuse, said Ravinder Raina in his address.
Dr T.K.Bhat general secretary ASKPC & other community speakers including vice presidents, R.K.Wangnoo, Tej K Pandita, S.K.Raina Secretary, Raj Nath joint secretary, Veena Gurtoo president Women Wing ASKPC, Ravi Raina president youth wing, Ashok Dhar, B.L.Handoo, Sunil Bhat, Mr Moza, Ruby Mattoo and others paid their homage to the Hindu martyrs of 13th July 1931.
A Nukkad Drama was also enacted by Vijay Malla & his team to depict the pathetic conditions of Kashmiri Pandits.
Dr Agnishekhar convener, Panun Kashmir said that it was an organised move not only against Kashmiri Hindus but also against people from Jammu region where many people were killed and converted, especially in Rajouri, Bimber & Poonch.
Others who addressed the gathering were Dr Ajay Chrangoo, Kuldeep Raina, S.L.Bakshi, Lenin Kumar & Sanjay Moza from Panun Kashmir; Rakesh Koul President Sampooran Kashmir; Kuldeep Raina president Samajik Vikas Sanstha; H.L.Bhat JKVM; Prof. Girdhari Lal, Advisor Kashmir Displaced United Front; Raju Sehgal president Kashmir Khatri Sabha; Shiban Khaibri social activist; Daizy Bhat president Jagti Women Welfare Society; P.L.Pandita, Shoki Lidoo, Opender Ambardar, Dr Ramesh Bhat, Virender Raina Gasha, Rakesh Raina, Sunil Pandita Jagati; Nanajee Dembi, T.K.Jigyasu, Virender Ambardar, Satish Koul & others.
BJP, Kashmir Displaced District organised a protest demonstration at Dogra Chowk here today in connection with observance of July 13 as Black Day.
The demonstration was led by MLC, Girdhari Lal Raina and it was organised by president of the BJP Displaced District Chand Ji Bhat and other activists of the community.
Girdhari Lal Raina , MLC said July 13 in the history of Kashmir represents the beginning of sectarian -communal mobilization of people for political gains. It also epitomised the targeted violent attacks on minority people and property. Addressing the demonstrators Chand Ji Bhat president of the displaced District said 1989-90 mass exodus was the culmination of a process of exclusion of the minorities from political, economic and social and administrative set up of the State and unfortunately the process has not been stopped till date. Others who addressed included general secretary KDD, B L Razdan and Bharat Bushan Gosani, media secretary , Rakesh Fotedar, secretaries, Rakesh Kaul and Vimal Raina, Yuwa Morcha president Kamal Warikoo and general secretary Sanjay Bhat, Avtar Ji, T N Bhat, M L Bhat, Babita Kour etc.
The speakers also highlighted the various issues of KPs and demanded their immediate redressal.
In observance of the Kashmiri Pandit Black Day, Panun Kashmir led by Ashwani Kuamar Chrungoo organised a Genocide & Holocaust Exhibition here, today. The Exhibition was followed by a press conference addressed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, P K and Virender Raina, chairman-Political Affairs Committee (PK). The Executive Council members and the office bearers of the Daughters of Panun Kashmir also attended the programme.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said that the July 13 in 1931 represented a big conspiracy against the Hindu community in Kashmir and also against the then Maharaja of the J&K State as sponsored at the behest of the British colonial rulers and was spearheaded by the then J&K Muslim Conference. Hindus were made the victims of genocidal action, loot, arson and mayhem selectively in the Valley, he added.
P K demands that the celebration of the Black Day as the sham Martyrs’ Day be discontinued forthwith and the holiday on this day be cancelled.
The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu also observed July,13 as working day. Large number of lawyers and litigant public were present in the Janipura Court premises in this connection.
On this day, the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu organized a Free Legal consultancy camp where large number of litigant public from different parts of Jammu region participated and sought free legal consultation from various members of Bar Association in the J&K High Court premises.
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. B.S. Slathia (Sr Adv), president of J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu said that the incident of 13th July, 1931 has not been presented in its right perspective and a complete distortion of facts.
He appealed to the Governor, N.N. Vohra to declare 13th July as working day for future and assuage the hurt feelings of larger section of the society in the State.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) also observed the Day as Black Day today. Addressing party activists at New Delhi, Kundan Kashmiri, president KPC, said that July, 13, 1931, is Black Day for the Hindus of the State. This Day has left indelible imprint on the minds of the Kashmiri Pandit Community and inflicted big scars on them which will never heal till we achieve the goal.
He also said abrogation of Article 370 from the state is need of time and demanded that the present Government at the Centre should take immediate steps in this regard.
Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) also observed the Day as Black Day today and termed July 13 , 1931 as darkest day in the history of Kashmir when the minority Hindus especially Kashmiri Pandits were made the direct target of loot and arson besides murdering about a dozen members of the community.
KHC president, Ad M L Thusoo and convener, P L Koul Badgami demanded that the holiday on July 13 be cancelled and the Day be declared as Black Day by the Government as there is no logic in observing the day as Martyrs Day. They said this means that the State is rejoicing the killing of minority Hindus who were targeted by the communal forces on that day.
To observe the July 13 as Black Day, a protest rally was taken out by Kashmiri Hindu Khatri Maha Sabha under the leadership of Er Ramesh Chander Mahajan. The speakers on the occasion paid homage to Hindu martyrs who were killed by frenzy mob, secessionist and communal forces in Valley.
Ramesh Mahajan, president of Sabha said that the Pandits of Kashmir and Khatris have been facing onslaught in Kashmir since 1931 and the war started by communal forces in 1931 culminated in mass exodus of the minorities of Kashmir in 1989-90. He demanded that the holiday of July 13 be cancelled and it should be declared as Black Day by Government.
The All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee (AMCCC) also observed the day as Black Day and its leaders said that on this day a conspiracy was hatched against the then Maharaja Hari Singh and minority Hindus in Valley.
President, AMCCC, Desh Rattan demanded that there is no logic in observing July 13 as Martyrs Day and holiday on this day be cancelled.
Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC) also observed the Day as Black Day and its president Shadi Lal Pandita said that those who observe the Day as Martyrs Day are the enemies of secularism.
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