Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: Cutting across their party affiliations Kashmiri Pandits today staged a demonstration in front of Press Club here and later took out a procession against the failure of Government to constitute a Prabandhak Board for the preservation and management of Hindu shrines and temples in Valley which are in dilapidated condition and have suffered an immense damage during 22 year long turmoil.
The call of today’s demonstration was given by Pt. Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust the Nodal KP organization for Kahsmiri Hindu Tempels and Shrines. The representatives of almost all KP organizations participated in the demonstration and warned to take their ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion. The protestors raising slogans in support of the passage of the Bill condemned the apathy of the Government in protecting the priceless heritage of the Kashmir.
The KP leaders while addressing the demonstrators said the temples and shrines of Kashmir are symbols of religious beliefs of the indigenous people of Kashmir. They also represent over 5000 years of continuous cultural ethos of Kashmir,. The culture of Kashmir, its identity and being has grown around these heritage centers. At present this whole heritage is being lost at a fast rate, KP leaders added.
They said temples are being razed down. The land mafia is grabbing the symbols of our religious and ethos. Many ancient shrines are suffering due to lack of care and maintenance, they added.
They said that the Government is fully aware of and has accepted this dire state of affairs. It says in the objectives of the Jammu and Kashmir Shrines and Religious Places of Kashmiri Hindus Bill lying before the State Assembly. “Most of the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines places have become victims of greed, lust and covetousness. The result is not only a threat to the existence of these places but plenty of funds are revenue generating assets attached thereto are also misused and held up, leaving no scope for their utilization to meet the development needs of these temples.
Those who addressed the demonstration included Swami Kumar Ji, Dr R L Bhat, H N Jattu, K K Khosa, H L Chatta, H L Bhat, B L Saraf, Virender Raina, Ashok Sidhar, B L Bhat, Brij Lal Bhat and B L Pandita.
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