Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 14: All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) organized a webinar on ‘Temples and Shrine Bill’ in collaboration with Prem Nath Bath Memorial Trust (PNBMT) who are spearheading this initiative since 2011.
During the webinar, the panelists focused on a broad sweep of KPs heritage represented by the centuries-old Temples and Shrines in Kashmir and their existing management, impact of violence unleashed by the Jihadi terrorists on them, the necessity of the enactment of a law to protect and manage these heritage sites and suggest a way forward. The subject of the webinar was introduced by president AIKS Col.(retd) Tej Tikoo, with his welcome address and opening remarks.
He urged the panelists to enlighten the well-attended audience about the importance of a law to safeguard the identity symbols of Hindu Sanskriti in Kashmir. The panelists who spoke included Dr. R L Bhat, Shiban Khaibri, Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Sanjay Saraf and AK Raina. The seminar was moderated by Vijay Kashkari, vice president AIKS. The general secretary AIKS, Maharaj K Pajan proposed a vote of thanks. Secretary AIKS Sunil Kaul rendered the necessary technical support.
Dr. R L Bhat informed that there are over 1400 temples situated in the 600 villages of the Valley. Giving out his perspective, he said the bill was submitted to the Legislature twice in 2006 and 2009. It was discussed in the Legislature in 2015 but was not passed due to the threatening posture adopted by a member of the Legislature. He suggested that the intervention of the Parliament is needed for the passage of the bill.
Shiban Khaibri expressed dismay over the attitude of the Government even though it is convinced that leaders of all the political parties support and acknowledge the dire need of a provision that can grant legal framework for the protection of the temples and shrines in Kashmir. Dr. Ramesh Bhat said that the loss of the Valley’s temples is a loss of priceless inheritance to all the Hindus globally. He asked for a bigger role of AIKS at the Central Government level.
Sanjay Saraf, LJP national spokesman assured his support to take the issue in parliament through his party. A K Raina said that AIKS has been supporting the Bill and it is with PNBMT for this cause.
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