Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 15: People from all sections of society have strongly condemned the desecration of Aap Shambu temple by the anti social and communal elements yesterday.
State VHP president, Leela Karan Sharma while expressing concern over the act of a Muslim community youth trespassing the Aap Shambu temple and vandalizing the temple premises demanded stern action against the culprits.
Mr Sharma, who called a hurried press conference here today said that instead of registering the complaint of the Mahant of the temple against Yasir who vandalized the temple and broke glasses, the ASI on duty thrashed the Mahant which is highly condemnable. The police registered the FIR only after mob protested. Mr Sharma also accused police of adopting delaying tactics in arresting the culprit and such a role of police can’t be tolerated.
Sharma warned that in case such episodes take place in future there will be 2008 type agitation and authorities will be responsible for all consequences.
Jammu Province People’s Forum (JPPF) while warning the State Government to remain cautious against the planned conspiracy of anti-national and disruptive forces extending communal tentacles n peaceful Jammu urged it to take effective measures to contain such nefarious activities.
The Forum president Pavitar Singh (retd) District and Session Judge, strongly condemned the desecration of Aap Shambu temple and demanded exemplary punishment to accused.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader, Raman Bhalla termed the sacrilegious act at Shiv temple in Roop Nagar as unfortunate and appealed the people to maintain communal harmony. “It was an unfortunate incident and I appeal to every citizen to maintain communal harmony which is responsibility of us all”, he added.
He said people of Jammu who have always maintained the highest secular traditions will not pay any attention to rumor mongers and maintain communal harmony and brotherhood at all costs which is our strength.
Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has strongly condemned the incident at Aap Shambu temple and also criticized the administration for mishandling of the situation and its inept and delaying response resulting into escalation of the situation and tension in the area yesterday.
In a statement chief spokesman of the party and former MLC Ravinder Sharma while strongly condemning the incident demanded a thorough probe into the matter and stern action under law against the guilty as well as those who were responsible for mishandling of the situation.
BJP Mahila Morcha National Executive Member and former Corporator Sheela Handoo has also strongly condemned the incident and demanded action against inept authorities who mishandled the situation. She demanded action under law against the police officer who slapped the priest of temple instead of registering FIR against the miscreant and also demanded immediate release of innocent youth and withdrawing of cases against them.
Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, Chankaya Chowk Parade in its meeting held today under the chairmanship of Ved Parkash Sharma expressed deep concern over the act of depredation of famous Aap Shambu temple at Roop Nagar by some miscreants. In a resolution adopted by the Sabha it also expressed concern over the act of particular police officials who instead of taking action against the culprits started misbehaving and intimidating the Aap Shambu priest thereby hurting the religious sentiments of the people.
All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) has also strongly condemned the desecration of a temple at Roop Nagar and urged the Government to reign in the anti national elements who have extended their tentacles in the heart of Jammu city too.
In a statement issued here today by general secretary of the organization, Dr T K Bhat said systematic sabotage and deliberate attempt to disturb the communal harmony in Jammu is clear message of pan Islamic fundamentalism spreading its tentacles in Jammu.
Rajiv Mahajan State president, Shri Ram Sena J&K has also expressed his serious concern over the depredation of Aap Shambu temple situated in Roop Nagar area by a youth belonging to Muslim community. He demanded stern action against the youth.
PCC general secretary Vikram Malhotra has also strongly condemned the desecration of widely revered Aap Shambu temple by some miscreants who caused damage to the infrastructure of the temple.
In a statement issued here today Malhotra blamed civil administration and police for the same.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) chief Kundan Kashmiri has also strongly condemned the act and said that the Government should remain vigilant against such forces who are hell bent in disturbing peace in the State. He demanded a thorough probe into the incident and action against the police officers on duty who failed to act in time and instead harassed the temple Pujari.
Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) has also strongly condemned the yesterday’s episode. In a joint statement KHC chief advocate M L Thusoo, convener, P L Kaul Badgami and general secretary M K Maktoom have urged the Government to act firmly against such people who try to foment communal trouble in the State by indulging in sacrilegious acts deliberately. The Government should tighten its noose over such elements so that such acts are not repeated again which are beyond the tolerance.
Kashmiri Displaced Forum chairman A K Sadhu and Jagti Welfare Committee Chairman, Vijay Kaul have also strongly condemned the incident and demanded action against the culprit.
Ravi Tickoo State president Lok Janshakti Party has also condemned the incident, the members of FPDCH, Jammu Prof Zahoor-Ud-Din, Anuradha Bashin Jamwal, I D Khajuria, Prof Didar Singh, S Narinder Khals and others have also condemned the act and appealed the people to maintain peace at all costs.
Hindu Shiv Sena in an emergency meeting today under the chairmanship Krishan Manhas has criticized the administration, Police for not taking timely action in defusing the situation by arresting the culprit.
The Sena challenged the authenticity of police to declare the person who targeted a temple as mad saying why he targeted the temple and not the residential houses etc in the area if he was not mentally sound.
Young Panthers have also strongly condemned the sacrilegious act and made an appeal to all sections of society to maintain peace and communal amity. The general secretary and spokesman of the party Gagan Partap Singh while talking to media persons termed the act highly deplorable which has hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
Jammu West Assembly Movement chairman, Sunil Dimple while strongly condemned the act held the PDP-BJP alliance responsible for the same.
In a statement issued here today he said since the coalition came to power acts of intolerance have increased in the State and both parties are trying the divide the State on communal lines.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel