Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Glowing tributes were paid to Tika Lal Taploo a veteran BJP leader on his 26th martyrdom day today. In this connection various functions were held at different parts of country in which members of displaced community recalled the services of Tika Lal Taploo to nation and described him a great patriot whom the separatists considered a biggest hurdle in their way.
A grand function was organized by All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) at Durga Nagar today in which the Minister in PMO with Independent Charge of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh was the chief guest while BJP general secretary organization Ashok Kaul and Dr K L Choudhary a renowned physician were the guests of honour.
While paying tributes to Late Tika Lal Taploo Dr Singh recalled his services to the nation. He said Kashmir has suffered a great loss with mass exodus of the Pandits as community has made tremendous contribution to Kashmiri culture and ethos. He said Kashmiriyat was totally incomplete without them.
Terming Kashmiri Pandits a civilized community, he said it is an asset for the nation. He said he has been repeatedly telling this in every fora at Delhi that this community is an asset for the nation.
Dr Singh said that the people in Kashmir also realize the loss which the Valley suffered with the mass exodus of Pandits and lauded the community youth for continuing the merit even after the migration.
Addressing the function ASKPC president, R K Raina lambasted the State Government for totally ignoring the community in last 25 years and said that 6000 jobs announced in 2008 by Prime Minister were not filled up till date and only 1460 displaced youth were absorbed against them till date.
He also lambasted the Government for interviewing displaced students at Srinagar instead of Jammu resulting into death of a girl in road mishap and injuries to others. He also rejected return formula to ancestral places and demanded one place settlement with free flow of Indian Constitution.
Dr K L Chowdhary also rejected settlement in clusters, ancestral villages or townships and said that the community’s aspirations be taken into consideration in this regard.
He said KPs have high hopes in present Government and believe that Dr Jitendra Singh is one among them who is fully aware of the problems of the community and trauma it faced due to mass exodus.
He expressed the hope that Dr Singh will project their demand in a right perspective before the Government so that the geo-political aspirations of the community are fulfilled.
The function was organized by B B Gosani general secretary ASKPC and stage was managed by P K Raina.
Joint Forum of KP Organizations observed the Balidan Divas today at Jammu by holding a joint demonstration outside the Press Club. Those who participated included besides others Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president PK, D N Kissu, chairman ADKPUF, H N Jattu, president AIKPC, S Prem Singh, president KSDF, Kashmiri Lal Bhat, patron PNBMT, Upinder Kaul, general secretary PK and Virender Raina official spokesman Joint Forum.
Paying tributes to martyrs they said the sacrifices of KP martyrs have gone into our lives as an inspiration to remain devoted to our national commitments.
They said the situation that has arisen due to heavy floods in the State is also a serious challenge that needs to be addressed on war footing. The KP employees trapped in Valley and the students of Jammu region need to be taken out immediately. Besides, there should be no discrimination in distribution of relief in the two regions as Jammu has also suffered a heavy loss.
Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch paid rich tributes to the martyrs in a graceful ceremony held at its office in Sharada Bhavan, Bohri, Jammu. The speakers at the function pointed out that the killing of the prominent Kashmiri Hindus was a calculated move to uproot the aborigines of Kashmir. They noted the initial martyrs were those who had not only been known for their soft corners for the majority community but also the leading lights to help and stand by the poor and needy of the majority community.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Hira Lal Bhat, C L Garo, Ashok Kangan, Makhan Lal Malla, Santosh Koul, H N Pandita, Pranji Pandita, Tej Sagar, Sandesh Raina, Ashokji Batargaam, Dr R L Bhat, Bushan Lal Bhat, recounted their personal experience of the turbulent days and the terror that was unleashed under a plan.
KPC also observed the martyrs Day at Delhi and Jammu. Its activists observed the day by wearing black badges and also switched off the lights in their houses for one hour in the evening as a mark of protest.
Paying tributes to martyrs at Delhi KPC president Kundan Kashmiri recalled their sacrifices.
Another function was held at Swami Kumar Ji Ashram where Shradanjali was paid by Swami Kumar Ji to these martyrs. In the evening the lights were switched off in the Ashram and other places. T K Bhat and Rajesh Bhat were among others who attended the programme.
BJP Kashmir Migrants also paid rich tributes to martyrs on Balidan Divas today. A programme was organized in this connection in which sacrifices of martyrs were recalled by T N Bhat, P N Pandita, Satish Pajnoo, president Displaced Kashmiri Front and others.
Youth 4 Panun Kashmir (Y4PK), under the aegis of Panun Kashmir, organized the Kashmiri Hindu BalidanDiwas, at Bhimsen Joshi Kalamandir in Aundh, Pune. This day is commemorated as martyrs day by the Kashmiri Hindus as it was on this day in 1989, the beloved Kashmiri leader – Pt. Tika Lal Taploo was martyred, which led to a spree of selective torturous killings and eventual forced exodus of the Kashmiri Hindus from the valley.
Kashmiri Hindus from, and around, Pune along with Kashmiri Hindus from other parts of the paid homage to the martyrs of Kashmir. Also present at the event were prominent dignitaries from the State of Maharashtra GajananKirtikar , MP,Shiv Sena , Anil Shirole, MP, BJP ,Pune, Sandeep Khardekar, General Secretary, BJP, Pune , Shaam Deshpande, Pramukh Shiv Sena , Pune.
The event was graced by special guests and war veteran Maj. Gen. G.D. Bakshi, SM, VSM (Retd), Col. Anil Kaul (Vir Chakra awardee); Dr. Agnishekhar, Convener Panun Kashmir, Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman Panun Kashmir, Ashok Pandit, Film Maker, social activist and Dr Shailaja Bhardwaj.
Another function was held at Delhi by PK in which various leaders including Ramesh Manwati paid rich tributes to martyrs.
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