Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Dec 29: Expressing serious concern over the deteriorating condition of temples in Kashmir valley, Kashmir Temple Caring Committee today asked Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to intervene in the matter personally so that there is no further damage to the temples.
Kashmir Temple Caring Committee spokesman, VirJi Bhat in a press release said that an emergency meeting of executive members of Kashmir Temple Caring Committee was held here under the chairmanship of Bharat Raina. Vir said that besides Raina, the meeting was attended by Kashmiri Pandits belonging to different walks of life.
"As per the survey done by Kashmir Temple Caring Committee, 176 temples have been found to be gutted and looted ever since the inception of militancy in Kashmir. Out of these temples 38 temples fall within the jurisdiction of Srinagar district with the others located in the other parts of Kashmir," said Raina while addressing the meeting.
Raina said that idols at these temples were either looted or damaged by the miscreants adding that other property worth hundreds of crores was also decimated by the anti-social elements. He said most of these temples have historical character and are monumental like other shrines in the Kashmir valley. "Raghunath Mandir, one of the oldest temples situated near Fateh Kadal in the heart of Srinagar is in shambles and it like the other temples has been turned into a garbage dump. This temple was looted and its building was gutted during militancy. Police failed to nab the culprits and also failed in tracing 23 precious idols, 40 kilograms of silver, gold and other valuables worth lakhs of rupees of this temple," said Chairman, Kashmir Temple Caring Committee.
Raina said that the matter regarding deteriorated condition of temples in Kashmir was raised many times with the state government adding that no corrective action was taken. He said the tall claims made by people at helm regarding the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits fall flat since no efforts have been made to restore the glory of deteriorated temples of Kashmir. "The government is spending huge money on beautification of other shrines while as there is nobody to carry out repairs of deteriorated temples. This speaks of dual policy from the state government and has to be condemned. Time has come when Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah should come in and take steps so that the secular fabric of the state is kept intact," said Chairman, Kashmir Temple Caring Committee. Others who spoke on this occasion include M L Pandita, Sunil Tickoo, Vijay Sharma, Chiranjeev, Arun Raina, Sanjeev, Ani, Kamal Raina Bal Krishan, Fayaz Ahmad, Junaid Ali, Sandeep, Nadeem Ahmad and Ali Mohammad. |
