Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Apr 13: Stating that the security situation in Kashmir has improved manifold, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) today said that Kashmiri Pandits have started returning to Kashmir as scores of them were today seen participating in the religious rituals across various temples in Srinagar.
BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation), Ashok Koul while talking to media persons said that there are no security concerns related to the return of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley as the situation has improved and that the people of Kashmir have to come out and own the Kashmiri Pandits.
“I don’t think there are any security concerns related to returning of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, neither can the Government facilitate their return, it is the people of Kashmir-the Kashmir society-which has to come out and own them,” Koul said.
He said that on the eve of Navreh, Sheetal Nath Mandir was re-opened after a long time and the Havan was carried out where several Kashmiri Pandits who are living in Kashmir including those who reached here especially for the day, were seen participating.
“I visited several temples in Srinagar; I saw a large number of Pandits who had migrated from the Valley, participating in the religious rituals including Hawans. While I spoke with many of them, I could sense that the process of their return to Kashmir has begun,” he said.
Koul said the reopening of the temples in Kashmir that were locked for years is a good start and that he is hopeful that the golden days will return to Kashmir
“It will pave a way for the return of Kashmiri Pandits as they have participated in several rituals across several temples in Srinagar. It is a good start and I feel that golden days will return to Kashmir,” he said.
About the encroachments of temples in Srinagar, Kaul said that there are several temples where encroachment has taken place by some people and Government and they should act against the violators.
“Several people as well the Government are involved in the encroachment at various temples in Srinagar as well as in Kashmir; the Government must take measures to end that and act against the violators and make sure that the encroachments are removed,” he said.
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