Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: The Joint Forum of KP organisations observed the July 13 as the Black Day today and organized a protest demonstration outside the Press Club here.
The KP leaders while addressing the demonstration said this day is being observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community as the Black Day since 1932 in commemoration of the persecution that was inflicted upon the society on that day in the Valley of Kashmir. On this day, the Hindu community was subjected to loot, arson, murder and mayhem on a large scale in the Valley, they added.
The demonstration was attended by the activists of the Joint Forum and many leaders and activists of like-minded organisations. It was addressed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President-Panun Kashmir, H.L.Chatta, President-All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Dr. Jitendra Singh, National Executive Member and chief spokesperson of BJP, Dr. Ramakant Dubey, President-VHP, H.N.Jattu-AIKPC leader, D.N.Kissu, Chairman-NCMCC, Deeneshwar Singh Jamwal, president-Universal Foundation, Jagdish Raj Dogra, president, Sanatan Dharam Sabha-Jammu, Chander Uday Sharma, Jammu State Morcha, Ayodhya Kumar, Prajapati Sabha and Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Kesri. Virender Raina, spokesperson-Joint Forum conducted the proceedings of the programme.
The participants wearing black badges with placards in their hands raised slogans decrying 1931 acts of genocide against the minority community of Kashmir. P Muralidhar Rao, All India General Secretary, BJP (who was on a day’s visit to the S tate) also joined the demonstrators and addressed them.
The speakers said observance of the 13th July as the so-called Martyrs’ Day by the political structures of the State is tantamount to rubbing salt to the festering wounds of the minority Hindu community of Kashmir. It adds insult to injury that on a day, when the Kashmiri Pandits were subjected to mass persecution and loot, has been designated as the official martyrs’ day by the political class of the Valley.
They said in accordance with the chalked out plan in 1931, the mobs under the supervision and leadership of communal forces looted Hindu properties and houses at Vicharnag, Maharaj Ganj (the hub of business activity), Amirakadal, Hari Singh High Street and parts of Bohrikadal. In Kanikoot village (now in Budgam district) Hindus were mercilessly beaten, their properties vandalized and one family was thrown from the windows of their three-storey house and brutally killed, they added.
They said the Hindu community of all hues in the Valley was taken aback; this carnage shook its confidence because of the fact that it did not become victim of any riots but had to face a one sided raid for no fault of theirs.
The nationalist forces in the State cannot forget the facts of history and have been observing this day as the Black Day for the last number of decades. Those who forget the facts of history are condemned to live it again and that is why that the leadership of the nationalist forces has to remain on guard against any hasty and apolitical move regarding the Kashmir imbroglio.
The recent utterances of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and the leader of the National Conference, (NC) Dr. Mustafa Kamaal came under heavy attack by the speakers. These leaders are not only inciting the people in the State but are directly talking in terms of ‘civil war’ in case their demands are not met. The silence of Government of India on the subject is stunning and intriguing. “We appeal to the Government of India to take cognizance of seditious acts and speeches by responsible people in public life and act appropriately”.
A resolution moved by Dr Jitendra Singh demanding that July 13 holiday be abolished, Accession Day be declared as a gazetted holiday and Brig Rajinder Singh chair be established in Jammu University, and his life size memorial be set up in Jammu as he gave sacrifice for unity of the State. The resolution was late moved by voice vote.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) also observed the July 13 as Black Day. While addressing a gathering of its activists at Vipin Garden, Kakrola and Dwarika New Delhi said that July 13 has signaled the exodus of minorities from Valley. He said that the day is observed in memory of a non state subject, a criminal who was under going trial for inciting people to communal violence which is quite unfortunate.
Kashmiri said that the nationalist forces should join hands and challenge this day as Martyrs day as on this day in 1931 beginning of exodus had started when the minority Hindus were made target by the fundamentalist and secessionist people.
Kashmiri said on this day seeds of hatred were sown by a non state subject Muslim Qadeer who incited Muslims to take recourse to communal violence by attacking minority Hindus in Valley. He while condemning the increasing terrorist violence demanded that KPs be given a pace in their motherland by carving out Kashyap State for them.
The other KPC leaders who addressed the meetings included M L Raina, Dr H L Saraf, Dr M L Fotedar, S L Zutshi, Sushil Bhat , Surinder Kumar, M L Bhat , N J Dhar, C L Koul, B L Thota, M L Bat, A K Bhat, B L Zutshi, H K Razdan etc.
Meanwhile, the Panthers Party under the leadership of its State president and MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia a demonstration against the celebration of July 13 as Martyrs Day at Government level.
The protestors raised slogans against the NC and Congress Government. Addressing the demonstration NPP State general secretary, Sukhdev Singh said that it is unfortunate that the Chief Minister said it is sad that Chief Minister is trying to pay tributes to anti social elements and those who tried to loot the people and treasury in 1931 Dogra regime of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Balwant Singh Mankotia said 1931 incident was a coop attempt by the anti social elements against the Dogra rule. He said NPP Condemns Chief Ministers and others for paying tributes to anti social elements by celebrating July 13 as Martyrs Day.
Mankotia said during over two decades long militancy thousands of jawans of security forces, patriotic people, political leaders, social leaders and innocent citizens were killed by the militants but the Government did not bother to pay tributes to them. He also criticized the Congress leadership of State for becoming B team of NC.
A handout issued by Youth For PK said that using the social media to their advantage, the KPs registered their protest by spreading information about the riots, loot and arson that the community suffered on this day in 1931.
Veer Ji Wangnoo international coordinator Youth For PK said most KPs across the globe changed their profile picture to a common picture announcing their support to observing the day as black day. Their face book campaign was driven through the page titled “we still exist 31 to 13”. The page saw the community members sharing articles and news stories that described the mayhem of the day in 1931.
VHP also observed the July 13 as Black Day and paid tributes to those innocent people who were killed by the secessionist and anti social elements on that day. VHP State president Dr Rama Kant Dubey also challenged the declaration of State holiday on July 13 and questioned the Government for paying tributes to so-called martyrs on the day.
Black Day was also observed by KPs in Sharda Colony, Saraswati Vihar, Anuradhapuram under the leadership of J L Raina, The people wore black badges and protested against the killing of innocent Hindus on that day and atrocities committed on the community. Vinod Dhar and S L Pandita also addressed the gathering on the occasion.
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