Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) held a meeting of its Core Committee here, today under the chairmanship of Shiban Khaibri
Addressing the meeting Shiban Khaibri expressed dismay that all along the Governments of the day have shown complete insensitivity towards the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandits. He said that the Temples Bill despite reaching the portals of the Assembly could not be passed. He said that PNBMT was able to generate widespread support from all the political parties in favour of the Bill yet some forces were always able to scuttle its passage. Khaibri said that the Bill would have ensured the protection, preservation and reclamation of all the temples and their properties in Kashmir. He added that this would have generated a huge confidence in the displaced populace.
He said that the claims of the Government for the resettlement of KPs in Kashmir sound hollow because if it could not protect the symbols of faith, how would it protect the seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits on return.
Kashmiri Lal Bhat expressed his dismay that the Government is not serious about bringing the Bill for the protection and preservation of the temples of Kashmir. He said that the time is not far when the KPs will loose this priceless heritage for all times to come and demanded passage of the Bill.
B.L.Saraf, District and Sessions Judge (retd) said that the recent sealing of the Sharda Peeth Shrine in Kashmir would never have happened if the Temples Bill would have been in place. He said the Government must seriously consider for its passage in the coming session of the Parliament which has begun from today and appealed the Lt Governor to carry forward this noble task.
Secretary of the Trust Sundri Lal Koul said that the efforts of the Trust over the years have been able to create a global consciousness for the preservation of the temples of Kashmir and the day is not far when this will result in the passage of the Temples Bill.
Executive Member of the Trust Sanjay Pandita exhorted the members to gear up for intensified action in the coming days.
M M Thaploo, M.K. Bambroo, B.L.Bhatt, M.K. Jalali, H.L.Bhat, B.L.Handoo, Bansi Lal Zar, Sundri Lal Koul were among others who attended the meeting.
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