KPs observe July 13 as Black Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 13: Protesting against the observance of July 13 as Martyrs Day, the Kashmiri Pandits today staged protest demonstrations and observed the day as Black Day by wearing black badges.
The Joint Forum of KP Organizations observed the Kashmiri Pandit Black Day today and organized a joint protest demonstration outside the Press Club of Jammu. This day is being observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community as the Black Day since 1932 in commemoration of the persecution that was inflicted upon the community on that fateful day in the Valley of Kashmir. On this day, the Hindu community was subjected to loot, arson, murder and mayhem on a large scale in the Valley. The impressive demonstration was attended by the activists of the Joint Forum and many leaders and activists of like-minded organisations.
It was addressed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president-Panun Kashmir, R.K.Raina, president-All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Dr. Ramakant Dubey, Patron-VHP, H.N.Jattu-president, AIKPC, D.N.Kissu, Chairman-NCMCC, Sardar Prem Singh, president-KSDF, Sat Sharma, Rajesh Gupta-BJP leaders. Virender Raina, Spokesperson-Joint Forum conducted the proceedings of the programme. The participants wearing black badges with placards in their hands raised slogans decrying 1931 acts of genocide against the minority community of Kashmir.
The observance of the July 13 as the so-called Martyrs’ Day by the political structures of the State is tantamount to rubbing salt to the festering wounds of the minority Hindu community of Kashmir. It adds insult to injury that on a day, when the Kashmiri Pandits were subjected to mass persecution and loot, has been designated as the official martyrs’ day by the political class of the Valley. In accordance with the chalked out plan in 1931, the mobs under the supervision and leadership of communal forces looted Hindu properties and houses at Vicharnag, Maharaj Ganj (the hub of business activity), Amirakadal, Hari Singh High Street and parts of Bohrikadal. In Kanikoot village (now in Budgam district) Hindus were mercilessly beaten, their properties vandalized and there are accounts of one family having been thrown from the windows of a three-storey house and brutally killed.
Kashmira Vahini, front line displaced Kashmiri Pandit women organization, observed  July 13 ‘ as ‘ Black Day’  here in which  large number of community members from camps and non-camps across the Jammu participated. The function, chaired by it’s patron  Kirti Kalla, was addressed mainly by  Dr Khema Kaul, Sudesha Kaul,  Nirmala Ticku, Dr Ajay Chrangoo and Dr Agnishekhar.
Terming the  July 13 as begining of organized communal violence against peace loving Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley Dr Khema Kaul noted writer and national spokesperson Kashmira Vahini elaborately narrated  the actual facts concerning the disturbances of 13th July,1931 and the subsequent and simultaneous communal violence unleashed against  Kashmiri, Dogra and Punjabi Hindus living in Hariparbat, Ali Kadal, Maharajganj, Bohri Kadal, Safa Kadal, Nawa Kadal,Gunzkhud, Vicharnag,Kanikoot in Budgam and other places. She laid emphasis on inculcating the sense of history amongst exiled community in general and women folk in particular.
Dr Ajay Chrangoo ,chairman Panun Kashmir while commenting on the communal intent of the July disturbances and its aftermath ,said it was loud expression of Muslim uprising against Hindu Dogra monarch and the organised communal violence against Hindu minority in Kashmir was part of it.
Dr Agnishekhar ,convener PK apprised the gathering that while the ongoing freedom struggle in rest of India was targeted against foreign British Imperialists, the local Muslim  uprising in Kashmir in 1931 was aimed to de thrown the Hindu Dogra King of the State. The death destruction arson and communal frenzy against Hindus in Kashmir was indeed the warning for Kashmiri Pandits.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC)  observed  July 13 ,as  “Black Day” by  wearing  black badges, head gear and switching off lights  to their residences and bussiness establishments for an hour from 7 PM to8 PM  to draw the attention of National & International bodies, people of the country and political masters of the nation towards atrocities committed on KP community time to time, in particular, on July 13, 1931 and faced with other serious problems at the hands of communal and separatist forces as well as  so- called secularists of the Kashmir Valley.
KPC leaders and its activists  also educated  KP youths,  India masses and others  about dreadful events faced by KPs  in 1931, 1947, 1986 and 1989-90, which finally  culminated in their  mass exodus from the Valley and also educate them about ground realities of Kashmir as well as human right violation of Kashmiri Pandits.
Addressing to couple of meetings in West Delhi to day on July13,2014,Kundan Kashmiri KPC Chief  re-itereated his demand of one place consolidated rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits at the land of Kashyap in Kashmir Valley.
Other KPC activists who also participated and addressed these meeting, were  R. L Raina, Ashok Raina, Ashok Ji Bhat, S.L Zuthsi.Surrender Bhat and R Razdan.

Follow our WhatsApp channel