From the President's Desk 

Rakesh Kaul President Kashmir Samiti 2012

Dear Community Member,

Namaskar,

It is a matter of great concern and regret that our sacred institutions of faith, legacy of our cultural heritage and the surviving remnants of our existence continue to be under constant threat in Kashmir. The recent desecration of ancient Shri Vaital Bhairav Temple complex in Rainawari, Srinagar, is yet another example of the communal forces, with a covert support of the forces inimical to Kashmiri Pandit interests, being bent upon usurping our community properties and creating further obstacles in any remote hope of our returning to our homeland. Though in view of the massive outrage expressed by the Kashmiri Pandits the state administration, surprisingly, got into action and immediately stopped further violation of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple complex, the latest incident exposes the sinister designs of the sections of people in Kashmir bent upon erasing the symbols of our existence there. It, also, exposes the vulnerability of symbols of our faith and legacy of our ancestral heritage. The situation becomes extremely frightening in view of the alarming facts that were revealed while some community men were confronting the dastardly attack on Shri Vaital Bhairav Temple complex. The facts about the temple complex reveal that it has been a place of reverence for around 400 years. It used to be not only a sacred place of worship but also an important hub for socio-cultural activities. The ownership of the complex, always, rested with the presiding deity of the temple and the management with representatives of the people living in surrounding localities. That this complex was illegally leased by Dharmarth Trust when it has no ownership or legal authority to do so clearly points towards a greater conspiracy of removing traces of our five-thousand-year-old culture.

The defilement of Shri Vaital Bhairav temple is not an isolated instance of attack on our symbols of faith. Thousands of our temples across the Valley have either been desecrated or are facing similar threats. Apart from the fundamentalist religious bigots, members of the thriving land mafia and unscrupulous vested interests, the State Government is to be fully blamed for failing to evolve a secure mechanism for the safety of our temples and shrines. Let us hope the expression of wide-spread anger against the latest incident channelizes the struggle for restoring the sanctity of our religious institutions in Kashmir. Also let us pray this incident gives some wisdom to the propagators of our return to valley under a reconciliation plan and makes them realise the folly of the preposterous idea of suggesting our return to satellite or cluster townships.

As you are aware the election to the new executive of the Samiti will be held on 22nd April. Most of the present office-bearers of the present executive are eligible to contest for one more term. You will appreciate the present office-bearers have strived to continue the rich legacy of the Samiti with sincerity, honesty and hard work. During the last two years the office bearers of the Samiti have tried to ensure our voice reaches the right quarters and our immediate problems receive the urgent attention of the authorities. The persistent efforts of the Samiti have ensured solutions to many issues confronting our community members. The Samiti is now a vibrant institution ready to face the challenges confronting the community. I would appeal to you all to consider these aspects while choosing your candidates at the helm of affairs of the Samiti, for the next two years.

Last month saw us losing an immensely respected and a towering leader, Shri D.N. Munshi. His concern and the long contribution towards the welfare of the community has been exemplary. His departure has truly made our community poorer. Destiny has also snatched away Raj Kumar Kaul, son-in-law of former Editor-in- Chief of Koshur Samachar, Shri A.N. Kaul Sahib, in a prime age. Our prayers are for the departed souls and sympathies for the bereaved families.

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Courtesy:-  Rakesh Kaul President Kashmir Samiti 2012 and 2012 April Koshur Samachar