Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notice to the Union Government and the Union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Gautam Anand, seeking directions for protection, preservation and renovation of ancient Hindu temples and their properties across the Union Territory.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, while taking cognizance of the petition, directed the Registry to list the matter after three weeks.
The PIL, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, raises serious concerns over the alleged neglect of ancient temples, large-scale encroachments on temple lands and failure of authorities to act despite availability of detailed records.
The petitioner, a public-spirited individual, has been consistently raising the issue with authorities through representations and Right to Information (RTI) applications. However, he alleged that the respondents have failed to discharge their constitutional duties in safeguarding religious and cultural heritage.
The plea highlights that many temples in Jammu and Kashmir, some dating back to ancient times, have either been destroyed, damaged or left in a dilapidated condition due to historical invasions, natural causes and particularly militancy since the 1990s. It further claims that several such properties have been illegally encroached upon by land mafia and other elements.
Significantly, the petitioner has relied on information obtained through RTIs from various districts including Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Baramulla and Anantnag. The data, he states, revealed that a majority of temples were either fully or partially damaged, while in many cases authorities lacked complete records.
The petition also traces earlier efforts made by the petitioner, including a representation to the President of India in 2021, wherein he sought implementation of a legal framework for management and restoration of temples, along with creation of a dedicated administrative mechanism.
It further notes that a committee was constituted by the UT administration following earlier court directions and that data regarding temples—including their condition, encroachments and status of restoration—has been compiled and even uploaded on official platforms. Despite this, the petitioner alleges that no effective steps have been taken either to remove encroachments or to undertake restoration works, even where funds have been made available.
Among the key reliefs sought are directions to the respondents to protect, rebuild and renovate ancient temples, retrieve encroached land and establish a dedicated department or a unified shrine board for temple management. The petitioner has also sought periodic submission of Action Taken Reports (ATRs) before the court to ensure accountability and time-bound action.
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