Brahmin Samaj of Haridwar shows solidarity with exiled Pandits

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 16: Expressing concern over the plight of Kashmiri Pandits who have been hounded out from Valley, the Brahmin Samaj of Haridwar has demanded that Kashmiri Pandits be rehabilitated in Valley on their own terms and conditions.
In a joint meeting of members of Brahmin community of Haridwar and Kashmiri Pandit social organisations, held at Haridwar today, Vishaw Bando Bali head priest, Haridwar said they are fully with displaced Pandits leading an exiled life for last 27 years.
He said Kashmiri Pandits being Brahmins have made a lot of contribution to Indian aesthetics and it is unfortunate that this community having a rich past is presently living as refugees in their own country.
The meeting was presided over by Ramesh Hangloo president Pir Panchal a social organization and Director Radio Sharda. He highlighted the contribution of Pandits to Indian culture and ethos and said that Kashmir had produced world famous scholars of Shastras. In this connection he named Acharya Abhinav Gupt, Kshminder, Utpal Dev, Kalhan Pandit, Laleshwari and Mata Roop Bhawani etc. He sought the support of Brahmin community all over country in re-settling Kashmiri Pandits in their homeland.
Avtar Krishan Shastri who represented the Prohit Samaj of Kashmir in the meeting said the Brahmin community of India is duty bound to re-establish the ancient Vedic culture and civilization in Kashmir which was the bases of pluralism.