Warns to launch struggle for Shrine Board
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: Expressing serious concern over the dilapidated condition of Hindu Shrines and Temples in Kashmir and accusing Government of betraying the community in this regard, Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust today warned to launch a peaceful struggle for constitution of Hindu Shrines and Temples Board in Valley for safeguarding the religious places of minorities there.
Disclosing this at a press conference here, chairman of the Trust, Roshan Lal Pandita and its vice chairman, Shiban Khaibri termed the oft repeated slogans of political parties that Kashmir is incomplete without Pandits totally hollow and baseless. They said had they been sincere towards the community’s welfare and their honourable and dignified return they should have supported the passage of Hindu Shrines and Religious Places Bill as a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) for the displaced Hindus from Valley.
Khaibri, while expressing his concern over the Government’s apathy towards the Displaced Pandits said “it is unfortunate that despite seeking appointment with the Governor to take up the issue of shrines and temples of Kahsmir with him, the doors have been closed for us and no heed has been paid to our repeated requests in this regard”.
He said the Governor has met every section of society and listened their problems but it is not known why such a discrimination with the people who faced genocide. The Trust has sent repeated request letters to Governor’s office seeking an appointment with him to discuss the important issues of Hindu shrines in Valley but we failed to get any response, he added.
Khaibri said when Government has solved many cumbersome issues why they can’t solve this small issue which will act a major CBM for the displaced community.
Terming the Hindu shrines and temples of Kashmir as cultural monuments linked to thousands years of religious and cultural history of Kashmir, Roshan Lal Pandita said that their preservation is must for the posterity as they are testimony to the fact to the proximity of Kashmir with India from times immemorial.
Pandita said these shrines have been visited by great and renowned saints of India including Adi Guru Shankaracharya as well as Swami Vivekananda and many other renowned saints of India who mediated and also mentioned about their religious and spiritual significance in the books written by them later. He said these shrines are linked to world famous Kashmir Shaivism and great Shaivachariyas touched spiritual heights while meditating there.
These shrines are linked to religious-historic background of Kashmir and there is deliberate attempt on the part of some vested elements to give practicle shape to the diabolic agenda of removing, erasing and tampering with the existing records of the symbols of faith of Kashmiri Hindus, he added.
Others present in the press conference included Shadi Lal Koul, Sundri Lal, A K Raina, Bansi Lal Zar and Dr B L Handoo.
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