Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 12: Shrine Bill for the protection, preservation and management of the temples and shrines in Kashmir is the consensus demand of exiled Kashmiris. This was stated by the leaders, intellectuals and activists of the community at the convention held at the K P Sabha Ambphalla. The convention endorsed the work done by the Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) and pledged full support to it to carry the struggle forward till the Shrine Bill is passed and a democratic Shrine Board is elected and takes over the management of the temples and shrines of Kashmir.
Earlier, spokesperson Dr R L Bhat presenting the resume of activities of the Trust for the passage of the Bill said that PNBMT had conducted 153 meeting in all the nook and corner of Jammu including the camps to mobilize the opinion for the Bill. The Trust was continuously in struggle and held dharanas, protest marches and used other democratic and peaceful means to press the demand to get the Shrine Bill passed. He said unlike the half a dozen bills passed by the legislature putting various temples in Jammu division under the nominated boards, the Shrine Bill did not see the light of the day, he added.
Besides the Trust met all in Government including Chief Minister, Union Minister in PMO, leaders of various political parties including Congress, NC, BJP, CPI (M) seeking their support to the Bill. It met the sole Trustee of Dharmarth Trust Dr Karan Singh, RSS and VHP leaders also highlighting the significance of the Bill.
The convention was presided over by H N Jato, Swami Kumarji and Dr A N Pandita, chairman PNBMT. H L Bhat conducted the proceeding of the open house debate in which the prominent leaders Ashwani Kumar Chrungo, Session Judge (retd) B L Saraf, A K Diwani, Virinder Raina, Subash Chata, T N Bhat, Sundari Lal Koul, J L Pandita, R K Raina, Dr R K Bhat and R K Dulo, expressed their views and reiterated the demand for the passage of the Shrine Bill. The speakers declared that all temples must be under the purview of the Bill and that the Hindus of the Kashmir were resolved to have the bill passed. Those present included D N Kisu, M L Raina, Pradeep Khodbali, Shiban Khaibari, M K Bambro, Dr B L Hando, C L Pandita, M K Jalali, B L Bhat, J L Dhar, G L Kath, M M Thaplo, B L Zar, Tej Sagar, Chandji Pandita, Shama Hando, Veena Gurtu and Kashmiri Lal.
Swami Kumarji expressed the resolve of the exiled community to continue the struggle till the bill is passed. In his address H N Jato said that the recent floods had made the protection of the hoary shrines and temples an urgent issue and demanded that the government must bring an ordinance for the protection of the temples. He declared that the struggle shall continue till an elected shrine board is formed to look after the Hindu temples and shrines in Kashmir valley.
Dr A N Pandita proposed the vote of thanks.
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