Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 11: In connection with the campaign launched by Save Sharda Committee Kashmir for re-opening world famous Sharda Shrine in PoK for the pilgrimage, members of the Committee here, today called on Union Minister for Minorities, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
The Minister was greeted by presenting a Kashmiri shawl by the founder of the Committee Ravinder Pandita. A photograph showing the flowers being laid and a photo installed this year inside the temple by Save Sharda Committee through Civil Society of PoK was also presented to Union Minister.
Ravinder Pandita apprised the Minister of the recent developments in Sharda in PoK and stressed the need for an amendment in LoC permit for travel to PoK that is meant for J&K residents. He demanded that MEA should immediately take up the matter with their counterparts in Pakistan for resuming the pilgrimage on the lines of Sikhs going to Nankana Sahib in Lahore every year.
The Committee informed the Minister that the last yatra to Sharda Shrine the basic seat of learning was taken in 1947 by great saint of Kashmir Swami Nand Lal Ji who used to live in Sharda in pre partition era.
The Minister was also presented with the pious soil and flowers sent by PoK residents to Save Sharda Committee and the documentary made on the recent developments on Sharda issue. The Committee members complimented the Minister for the keen interest shown on the 70 year old subject and the Minister assured the delegation that the issue of re-opening of pilgrimage to Sharda shrine in PoK would be taken up at appropriate level with the concerned authorities.
The Minister further assured the delegation that the Ministry would get in touch with their counterparts in Pakistan for preservation of minorities shrines particularly Sharda Peeth in PoK. In this regard Committee presented him a list of temples and shrines that lie in ruins in PoK.
A memorandum was also presented to the Minister by Rajiv Dhar and Des Raj Koul on behalf of the Committee.
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