Bhaderwah observes complete shutdown, protests held across Jammu
Govind Sharma
BHADERWAH/JAMMU, June 6: Some miscreants allegedly vandalized the ancient Vasuki Nag Temple in Kailash Kund situated at a height of 14,000 feet at Bhaderwah in Doda district, leading to protests by the Hindu minority community in Bhaderwah as well as other parts of Jammu region.
According to the reports, miscreants damaged the main door of the Temple and an attempt was also made to break the donation box, while the robes of one of the deities was also found on ground. Reports said that the alleged desecration act took place two days ago but it came to light only yesterday evening when pictures of the vandalized temple surfaced on social media.
Members of the Hindu community held protests in different parts of Jammu region while Bhaderwah Town observed complete shutdown against alleged vandalism of the ancient Temple, prompting the police and district administration to lodge an FIR in this connection and constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter thoroughly.
Shops in Bhaderwah Town remained closed and the traffic was off the roads in response to a strike call given by Virendra Razdan, president of Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha in Bhaderwah. The protesting people blocked roads at several places including Domail, Sarol Bagh, Bhala, Seri Bazar, Gupt Ganga and Bhalra by burning old rubber tyres. Condemning the alleged vandalism of sacred temple, the protesting people said this heinous crime was aimed at vitiating the otherwise peaceful atmosphere and communal harmony in the district.
After the assurance of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda Vikas Sharma and SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom that a thorough probe will be conducted in the matter and the culprits will not be spared, protesting people suspended the stir after which shops were opened in Bhaderwah Town and traffic started plying normally.
In Jammu City, a strong protest led by J&K president of Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Purushottam Dadhichi was held. “This is the handiwork of mischievous elements who wanted to create a rift in the society,” he said, demanding stern action against the culprits. He said this is the handiwork of mischievous elements who wanted to create a rift in the society.
Speaking to Excelsior, DC Doda said a police team has already been deputed in the snow-bound area to ascertain the facts and in the meanwhile an FIR has been registered at the Bhaderwah police station for a thorough probe. He said orders have been issued to constitute a SIT to probe the case thoroughly. He requested people to maintain peace and law & order.
SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom also informed that a 6-member SIT comprising SDPO Bhaderwah Gafoor Mir, SHO Bhaderwah Jitender Singh Rakwal, three others and headed by SP Operations Doda Raj Kumar, has been constituted to probe the case. The team has been asked to submit its report within the shortest possible time, he added. Appealing to the people to maintain peace and law and order, the SSP said one of the police teams has reached the site and found all the main idols at the temple intact.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister J&K Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the mischievous act. He requested the local administration that the culprits should be brought to books immediately. Azad further appealed the people of Doda in general and Bhaderwah in particular to maintain peace and harmony and let the administration deal sternly with such elements those who try to divide people and disturb the peace and harmony in the region.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee also expressed serious concern over the “mischievous act”. In a statement, JKPCC president G A Mir, working president Raman Bhalla, vice president Mula Ram, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma and other senior party leaders said Government should identify the culprits and give them stern punishment.
Former MLC and Trustee, J&K Dharmarth Trust, Vikramaditya Singh sought strict action against the rogue miscreant elements responsible for the alleged desecration and vandalization of Shri Vasuki Nag Temple, Kailash Kund in Bhaderwah. Vikramaditya said that he had personally requested the DC Doda and SSP Doda to investigate and probe the matter urgently and punish the culprits as per law. He appealed the public to exercise restraint and maintain peace and calm.
Sajid Mir, Sarpanch Kursari Panchayat (Bhaderwah) said, “We support the demand for a thorough probe to identify the culprits who have hurt the sentiments of Hindu community and tried to trigger communal divide.
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