Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: The disciples and devotees of Swami Lakshman Joo Maharaj in meetings held at various places in Srinagar, Jammu, New Delhi, Mumbai and in the Ashrams located outside India have decried the proposal of certain vested interests to include the Ishwar Ashram located at Ishber, Nishat, Srinagar (Kashmir) in the proposed Kashmir Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2009.
It was pointed out that due to events of the past the tradition and teachings of Kashmir Shaivism remained concealed for more than nine centuries. Swamiji, who was the last and the greatest of the saints and masters of this tradition, spent his whole life studying and practicing the teachings and tradition and in doing so, due to his intellectual power and the strength of his awareness, realized both spiritually and intellectually the reality of its thought. He all along in his teachings constantly emphasized the secular nature of this great tradition. He wanted it to be clearly understood by everyone that Kashmir Shaivism does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste, creed, colour or sex.
The Ashram in any manner cannot, be equated with temples and shrines of Kashmir and included in the proposed Bill.
Swamiji’s western disciples which includes John Hughes of USA and George Barsilar of Australia, both of whom run Kashmir Shaivism Centre in USA and Australia, respectively, have also expressed their deep anguish on the proposed move and have called upon the Government in the State not to interfere with the autonomous character of this most important learning Centre and the Ashram, with which thousands of scholars, students throughout the globe, pursuing this sacred and ancient philosophy known as Kashmir Shaivism, are closely associated.
This institute has been functioning effectively on daily basis ever since the period of turmoil in the Valley. It has regularly held national and international seminars, conferences, meetings and workshops in Srinagar and other places to propagate the rich and unique philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism as revealed by the Swamiji. Scholars, saints and others from within the country and abroad have in great numbers participated in these seminars, conference, meetings and workshops in Srinagar.
A memorandum has already been submitted to the J&K Governor, Chief Minister, Chairman, J&K Legislative Council, Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly and other concerned Select Committee Members urging them to accept this memorandum and exclude this Teaching and Learning Centre, located at Ishber, Srinagar from the purview of the proposed Bill.
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