Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) held a significant meeting with the heads of various temple committees in Kashmir to enhance cooperation and push forward the movement for the passage of the Temples and Shrines Bill.
The Trust reaffirmed its commitment to assisting temple committees in tackling encroachment, vandalism, and misuse of temple properties while ensuring the preservation of Kashmir’s religious and cultural heritage.
The meeting, presided over by PNBMT Chairman Roshan Lal Pandita, emphasized the need for unity and consolidated efforts in the Temple Movement. Virender Raina, president of Panun Kashmir and chief spokesman of PNBMT, provided an overview of the Trust’s longstanding activities. He showcased the Temples and Shrines Book published by PNBMT and presented a copy of the Temples and Shrines Bill to attendees.
Raina highlighted past political support and assured that the Trust would continue engaging with leaders to advocate for the Bill’s passage. He warned that growing demographic pressures pose an increasing threat to temple properties, necessitating constitutional safeguards. He also underscored the global awareness generated by the movement in preserving Kashmir’s civilizational and cultural legacy.
Advocate Kashmiri Lal Bhat announced plans for a Fact-Finding Mission, to be led by Kuldip Raina and C L Pandita, to assess the condition of temples across Kashmir. Leaders from various temple committees expressed their full support for PNBMT and shared valuable suggestions for advancing the movement.
The meeting saw participation from Ravi Jogi (Zeshthamata Prabandhak Committee, Srinagar), M K Raina and Shiban Kishan Bhat (Jwala Ji Samiti, Khrew), Sundri Lal Koul (Hindu Welfare Biradri, Vessu), Sanjay Shshoo and Shadi Lal Dhar (Tripur Sundari, Devsar), Capt DL Bhat (Mata Kheer Bhawani, Kupwara), and many others.
Prominent PNBMT members present included M K Jalali, Naveen Koul, Shiban Kishan Bhat, Ramesh Marhatta, Bansi Lal Zar, Behari Lal Zar, H L Jad, Navin Bhushan, M K Bharat, Naveen Handoo, Surinder Dhar and M M Thaploo. The proceedings were moderated by PNBMT’s general secretary Shadi Lal Koul and secretary Sundri Lal Koul.
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