Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 30: Extending their support to Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust in its struggle for passage of Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places Bill, Joint Forum of KP Organizations announced to join the demonstration cum rally to be held by Trust at Jammu on September 1. At a joint press conference addressed by Forum leaders including Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president P K, HL Chatta, president ASKPC, H N Jattu, president AIKPC, D N Kissu, chairman ADKPUF, S Prem Singh, president KSDF and Virender Raina, spokesman of the Forum demanded Government to ensure the passage of the Bill in the coming session of State Legislature. Justifying the demand, the speakers said temples and shrines of Kashmir are the symbols of religious and cultural beliefs of the indigenous people of Kashmir which represent over 5000 years of cultural ethos of Valley. Showing grave concern over the present position of the Hindu shrines in Valley are termned as heritage centers, the speakers alleged mafia hell bent in grabbing the symbols of religion and ethos leaving ancient shrines suffering due to lack of care and maintenance..
This has also been accepted by the Government through the objectives of ``The Jammu & Kashmir Shrines and Religious Places of Kashmiri Hindus Bill they said, adding the Bill is lying with Select Committee. The Forum leaders said that the shrines and all other places of reverence in Kashmir are the common heritage of the Hindu society. They demanded that the Bill be also described as ``Hindu Shrines and Religious Places of Kashmir'' instead of ``Shrines and religious places of Kashmiri Hindus''. They also appealed the Select Committee to discuss the subject of the Bill with the community before finalizing its opinion. |
