2024-01-01    Jammu Dairy January Naad

Little Said about Displaced Kashmiri Pandits: former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul

In an interview with PTI on December 29, Justice Kaul said that very little was said about Kashmiri Pandits who got displaced from the Valley with the advent of separatist militancy, possibly because they were not "such a big electorate" as to invite "political intervention. Justice Kaul, who was part of the bench which upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, recommended setting up an "impartial truth and reconciliation commission" to probe and report on human rights violations by both state and non-state actors since the 1980s, said people of different communities lived in unity before insurgency shattered the peace and he was at a loss to comprehend how the situation "slowly degenerated". A Kashmiri Pandit himself, Justice Kaul feels, it is time now for the people to move forward, after more than 30 years of unbridled violence.

Kashmir incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits: Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh at a function in Jammu said that the Kashmir Valley is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, who have been, for centuries, an essential part of the unique civilisation, culture and tradition that Kashmir is known for all over the world.

Speaking after releasing the Vijeshwar Jantrie (Almanac) for Saptarishi Samvat 5100 corresponding to the year 2024-25 at the function Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Kashmiri Pandit community has contributed to the enrichment of academics, literature and art beyond the shores of Jammu and Kashmir and even before independence, the then Princely States across the country, as far as the princely states of central India, engaged Kashmiri Pandit scholars in education and administration.

Mahā Kali Jayanti Celebrated in Jammu

In Jammu at Muthi, Temples & Shrines Prabandhak Committee Tral Awantipur celebrated Mahā Kali Jayanti. A large number of devotees participated in the celebrations. The Temples & Shrines Prabandhak Committee Tral Awantipur is a subsidiary organization of Nawdal Tirth Committee Tral. Nawdal Tirth is popular for the culmination of Swami Amarnath Ji yatra. On the occasion, a Homa was performed for two days. At the end of the Homa, Prasad was offered to the devotees.

KP Sabha projects Demands

Kashmiri Pandit (KP) Sabha projected various demands of the displaced community in a press conference in Jammu. Addressing the press conference, KP Sabha president KK Khosa asked the Government to expedite the process of early return and rehabilitation of the displaced community. “Any further delay in ensuring return & rehabilitation in the Valley will prove detrimental to the interest of distinct cultural identity of Kashmiri Pandits which needs to be preserved at all cost,” he added.

Khosa appealed that the settlements for the KPs be set up in the three erstwhile district headquarters of the Kashmir valley, namely Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag, with all kinds of basic amenities (hospitals, primary/secondary schools, shopping malls, etc.) and fool-proof security to infuse a sense of safety. He urged for immediate repair of buildings of Jagti Township and other transit camps which have deteriorated with time.

He demanded the Government launch yet another special recruitment drive for the community. Other demands projected by the Sabha include the enhancement of cash relief to the migrants, and the release of the balance amount of compensation to those KPs whose houses were torched after the exodus in 1990.

Kashmiri Pandits install Shiva Lingam in Pulwama

Kashmiri Pandits marked a significant moment in December 2023 by installing a Shiva Lingam in the Trichal area of Pulwama in South Kashmir after a gap of nearly 34 years. Locals who actively participated in the installation shared their sentiments about the historical and religious significance of the site for the Pandit community. “This is a momentous day for the Pandit community as they revive the sanctity of this place after years. My father used to speak of the importance of this place for the Pandits,” one resident said.

Kashyap Bandhu Remembered on 38th  Death Anniversary

The 38th death anniversary of Kashyap Bandhu (Tara Chand Bulbul) was observed at the Writers Club in Jammu at a simple but impressive function organized by Jigar and Team Essay.

The function was chaired by Padamshree K N Pandita and Vijay Bakaya former Chief Secretary and president of Durga Nag Trust was the chief guest. The other dignitaries who were on the dais included Prof B L Zuthsi, Bharat Bhushan Bhat, president ZDPC and Prof P N Trisal.

The students of various schools including Hee Maa Smarth High School Jagti, Sai Play Way Jagti, M Naveen School, Nagrota, S L Memorial, Santra Mode, Government Middle School Jagti, Migrant H/ S School, Bohri participated in cultural programmes and delivered speeches on the life history of Bandhu Ji. Sandhya Dhar head of Jigar Foundation proposed the vote of thanks.

1.75 Lakh Pilgrims Visit Kheer Bhawani in 2023

The Temple Management of Kheer Bhawani also called TullMulla has informed the “Excelsior” that in 2023, the Shrine was visited by 1.75 Lakh pilgrims. The Management expects the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine to increase the 2023 numbers. The Management further informed us that more youngsters are visiting Shrines and Historical places in the valley. The Management stated that they have taken several steps to enhance the surroundings, focussing on upgrading the infrastructure.

Homage Paid to Martyr Pt. Prem Nath Bhat

34th Martyrdom of Pt. Prem Nath Bhat was observed in Jammu on 27 December 2024. The day is observed as 'Chetna Diwas' by Pt. Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT). The occasion was presided over by the senior BJP Leader, a Member of Rajya Sabha and a National spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi was the Chief Guest. While paying tributes to the Martyr Shri Sudhanshu Trivedi described him as a great thinker and visionary to warn the government of the coming events.

He said that by annulling controversial Articles 370 and 35 A, the NDA Government has ended the greatest Constitutional anomaly about Jammu and Kashmir. He further said that the Modi government is working on the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. The Trust on the occasion presents 'Samman Patra' posthumously to the families of the martyrs on every 'Chetna Diwas'. This year the families of Martyr Sanjay Pandita a BSF Cop from Kupwara and Martyr Sanjay Kumar Sharma gunned down by the terrorists in Achan Pulwama. The function was presided over by Ex-DGP Jammu &Kashmir. President AIKS Dr. Romesh Raina was the speaker on behalf of the displaced community. He emphasised granting a minority status to the religious minorities of Kashmir. He strongly pleaded for the passage of the Shrines and Temple Bill. Chairman of the Trust Roshan Lal Pandita presented a vote of thanks.

A Havan Performed in the Honour of Saint Krishen Joo Razdan

On the campus of the Ashram in Ganga Nagar Jammu, the yearly Hawan was performed on 19 December 2023 in honour of Transcendent Saint Krishen Joo Razdan. The Saint is famous for his spiritual learning and devotional poetry. The function was attended by a large number of devotees and ended with Puran Ahuti.

Prosecute those Responsible for KP Exodus- Rana

Senior Leader BJP Devinder Rana has deplored the happenings in 1989 and early 1990 in Kashmir resulting in the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley. He called for an in-depth probe to identify, expose, prosecute and initiate criminal proceedings against the actors responsible for the irreparable catastrophe and circumstances leading to the exodus.

Anandeshwar Bhairavnath Temple Opened after over 3 decades

As reported by the Press Trust of India, on 6th January 2024a havan was performed at a temple in Srinagar, for the first time since the eruption of militancy in Kashmir more than three decades ago. The over-300-year-old temple had been closed for several years due to the prevailing situation. The havan and a grand puja were performed at the Anandeshwar Bhairavnath temple located in the Maisuma locality of the city on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Bhairavnath.

The police, civil administration and the residents extended full support for the havan. More than 150 people were invited to the temple on the occasion. After the havan and puja, Prasad was distributed among devotees and CRPF jawans deployed there.

Calendar of Shakti Sathal of Sharda Released by CS J&K

Recently Jammu Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo released the calendar of Sharda Mata Teetwal, the freshly built. The Calendar is published jointly by Jyotshi Avatar Krishan Shastri in association with Radio Sharda, 90.4 FM Jammu. At the event, the Chief Secretary supported the LG UT J&K in his commitment to the preservation, promotion and popularizing the cultural values. He also applauded the role of the society that is running this FM Radio in Jammu that helps transfer the old rich culture from one generation to another. The 'Pir Panchal NGO that owns the FM station and Jyotshi Avatar honoured the Chief Secretary for assuming the highest post of the J&K administration.

It is pertinent to mention that this year's calendar has a theme based on the ancient heritage temple of Sharda Mandir at Teetwal in district Kupwara located close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Ramesh Hangloo Director of Radio Sharda highlighted the role of Pir Panchal and Radio Sharda in the preservation of culture and linking the next generation of displaced people to their roots.

Source: Agencies Editing: Vijay Kashkari

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Courtesy: January 2024, Naad