Author: Yusuf Jameel
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: March 12, 2009
The Jammu and Kashmir government's recent
decision to set up shrine board exclusively for administering, managing and
regulating the Hindu shrines and other places of worship in the Valley seems
to have failed to impress the minority community, a vast majority of which
fled, their home following the breakout of separatist violence in 1989-90.
Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, an organisation
representing members of the Brahmin community who did not leave the·
Valley, alleged that the 'government" mainstream leaders in and outside
it as well as separatist groups are not sincere towards protecting and preserving
the temples, shrines and other properties of the community.
Taking a strong note to the government's choosing
to introduce the temple Bill on the last days of the just concluded maiden
session of the state Assembly, the KPSS said here on Wednesday.
"This clearly shows the malicious intentions
of the government, how it is giving more and more time to those persons who
are bent upon vanishing the identity of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley with
respect to the temples and shrines verifying their. 5,000 years of history,
culture, and heritage," he alleged. However, the law department officials
maintain that the proposed shrine board will preserve, protect and administer
use of properties to be notified by it after a proper survey.
