Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 2: Hailing the huge initiative on Kartarpur Corridor, the National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana on Sunday called for opening of Shardapeeth and Mangla Mata Mandir, Mirpur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir for the Hindu pilgrimage. "Encouraged by the Indo-Pak initiative on Kartarpur Sahib, a hope has rekindled among the Hindus and Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir to visit their most revered temples and Gurdwaras in the PoK", Rana said at an interactive session where in Commodore D S Sodhi, NM presented him his book 'Kashmir-Divine Connect and Sikh Rule, which is being released shortly. He said a lot of people and delegations have strongly been pitching for opening of these religious places for pilgrimage, which will ultimately lead to people to people contact and help in normalizing the relations between the two neighbouring countries. In this context, he sought opening of Ali Baig Gurdwara on the northeastern side of the Mirpur-Jhelum Link Road in Bimber District for the Sikh Sangat. He also sought passage to Khoi Ratta Bowli, a hot water spring, in Kotli, a symbol of communal harmony which was being frequented by the people seeking cure to skin diseases. This Bowli used to be visited people belonging to all faiths decades ago, he added. The provincial president described opening of various routes to Pak occupied Kashmir key to building confidence among the people, who are keen to end hostilities and lead a peaceful life. He said thaw between the two countries is imperative for overall development and prosperity of the people of the sub-continent, especially those in Jammu and Kashmir, who will be the main beneficiaries of harmonious relations. Rana said that people on both sides of the Line of Control have a strong cultural bonding the places of worship had been playing important role in strengthen this from times immemorial. |
