Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14 : Kashmiri Pandits today accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of failing to fulfill his promise of bringing an ordinance for protection, maintenance and management of temples and Hindu religious shrines in the Kashmir valley.
In a statement issued here today Pt. Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust an apolitical organisation of Kashmiri Pandits alleged that the Chief Minister has betrayed the community as the promise made by him in the Apex Advisory Committee to Government in the month of April this year that Government will bring an ordinance soon for the protection of Hindu shrines and temples in Kashmir has not been fulfilled till date.
The Trust, which has launched a country wide movement for the enactment of law for protection, maintenance and management of Hindu temples and shrines in Valley as they are in bad condition after the forced exodus of the community in Valley in 1989-90 has taken serious exception to delaying tactics adopted by the Government in enacting of law in this regard.
The statement said since 1990 the KPs all over the globe have been demanding constitution of a Prabandhak Board on pattern of Gurudwara Prabandhak Board or Auqaf to protect the religious places of Hindus in Valley which are the heritage monuments as they bear testimony to ancient culture and heritage of Kashmir.
It said the Trust which is fully backed by the community pursued the issue for over two years now. Besides holding corner meetings in the length and breadth of the country where KP diaspora is putting up, the protest demonstrations were also held at different places in Jammu. The memorandums were also submitted to the Government from time to time in this regard which till date has failed to Constitute the Prabandhak Board, the statement added.
The statement said that though the Chief Minister gave an assurance to Apex Committee members in April to bring an Ordinance till passage of the Bill which has been since tabled in the State Assembly but noting was done in this regard resulting in brewing resentment among the Pandit community.
The statement further said as the sentiments of the community are attached to religious shrines of the Valley, Government without any delay should constitute the Board for their protection and management.
The Trust also warned that it will intensify its movement which was kept a low key affair after the assurance of the Chief Minister
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