Resolution on Temple Bill

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Kashmir, originally named as Satisar was abode of Rishis and Saints of highest order. It is because of this that the valley had a rich cultural and religious importance in Indian history. There are thousands of years old temples and heritage sites. But ever since the advent of intolerant raiders and mercenaries, these places of worship have been defiled desecrated and destroyed. Even at the cost of their lives, our forefathers have pre served many of these shrines. But once Kashmiri Pandits, were hounded out from their homes and hearths and forced to flee, the fundamentalist zealots resorted to the old game of desecration and destruction of our temples and shrines. In the absence of KPs, many of these were grabbed or encroached upon. All this was being done under the nose of so-called administration.

It was to check this, the displaced Kashmiri Pandits had been demanding enactment of a law on the lines of Wakf Act or Sikh Gurudwara Act to "protect, promote and develop" these places of faith. As usual, the state government did not respond in time. As a result, many of our temples and places of worship were usurped by unscrupulous people by fair or foul means. In many cases, the so called secular govt. was the violator

Belatedly, the state government notified a draft bill of Kashmiri Pandits Shrines and Religious Places in 2007 to solicit public opinions/response/objections. Kashmiri Pandit in general and existing Mandir Prabandhak Committees in particular, whole heartedly welcomed the initiative taken by the government for 'preserving, protecting and developing" our shrines and religious places in the trouble-torn Kashmir valley.

 Based on discussions and consultations with all sections of Kashmiri Pandit Community. ASKPC submitted a revised draft Bill after removing all irritants and anomalies in the notified draft bill and incorporating appropriate e lines and relevant provisions on the of J&K Wakf Act, 2001 and J&K Sikh Gurudwara and Religious Endowment Act, 1973 as envisaged by the State Government.

The revised draft bill is tilled as "J&K Shrines and Religious Places of Kashmiri Pandits, Bill" 2007. Inspite of repeated assurances, the Govt. has not enacted the law.

This conference of ASKPC strongly protests state Govts. attitude in this matter and demands that "J&K Shrines and Religious Places of Kashmiri Pandits Act be enacted immediately.

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

Courtesy: The Martand- The Official organ of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference: 16th June, 2010