Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: A new book looks at the riveting history of Jammu and Kashmir from the time of its political and geographic consolidation to the abrogation of the state’s special status.
The book was released on a national seminar on contributions of J&K to Indian thought organised by centre for comperative religions and civilization (CCRC) Central University Jammu.
‘Ten Studies in Kashmir: History and Politics’ by educationist and Padma Shri recipient Prof K N Pandit was released at a function at the Jammu University.
The book, which comes after the scrapping of Article 370 provisions in August, will shed light on the happenings from 1947 till the revocation of special status of the state.
Pandit has taught in various universities in Kashmir, Tehran and Japan, and has headed the Centre for Central Asian studies.
“Over the years the people of Kashmir valley have developed empathy for radical Islam. More and more people are looking towards Saudi Arabia as a socio-cultural centre with marked wahhabi undertones,” the books says.
In the book, Pandit has described complexities in various aspects of contemporary Kashmir history, issues such as the genesis of the Kashmir crises, its roots and ramifications and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and the Kashmir debate in the UN.
Pandit has written six books and translated several books in various languages.
The latest book has been brought out by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and released by vice-chancellors of various universities.
Rajinder Kumar Shukla, V C MGAHV, Wardha was the chief guest on the occasion while Prof B N Labh, VC, Nav Nalanda Mahavihar who was the guest of honour.
Among other dignitaries included Prof Ashok Aima , VC Central University, Jammu, Dr Ved Kumari Ghai a well known scholar and authority on Shaivism , Dr Richa Kothari, Director I/C , CCRC, Dr Tejnath Dhar etc.
In his address Prof Shukla said the communities who have faith in their culture and ethos fight back to restore their rights. He said without understanding Kashmir and Kashmiri literature if the people outside Kashmir wrote about Kashmir they were not given recognition.
Prof Ashok Aima while terming Dr K N Pandita his Guru referred to Kashmir and its rich cultural history. He said “my soil is always putting questions what are you doing for me”? He said “I don’t know that so many people know about Laltaditya a great king of Kashmir who had expanded the boundaries of his kingdom up to Central Asia.
He said CUJ has already started diploma in Shaivism and now it will also start the diploma in Sharda script from December first. He said there are chairs of Swami Dayanand Saraswati founder of Arya Samaj and Swami Vivekananda , a revolutionary saint of India in CUJ.
Prof Aima said the universities should not be meant for issuing degrees only but idea should be to create universities of philosophical thought.
In his paper, Brij Nath Betab, quoting from the book, reviewed the international meddling into Kashmir affairs that augmented anti India narrative and strengthened anti-national sentiment that ultimately resulted in forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandit Community.
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