Excelsior Correspondent
CHANDIGARH,Sept 22: A photo exhibition titled “Exhibition in Exile”, depicting various facets of Kashmir terrorism as well as Kashmiri Pandit ethnic cleansing and exodus was held here today under the auspices of “Panun Kashmir”.The exhibition was inaugurated by Brig (retd). Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri of the Logewalla-“Border” fame.
Avinash Rai Khanna, Member of Parliament was the chief guest on the occasion while Satya Pal Jain, former MP of Chandigarh, Dr Jitendra Singh, eminent intellectual and Dr. Charudutt Pingle, National Guide of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti were special guests. Ashwani Charungoo, President Panun Kashmir,(PK) presided over the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Avinash Rai Khanna said, the country is of late becoming more and more conscious of the realities of terrorism in J&K and an example of this was the manner in which the whole country stood up in support of the victims of Kishtwar riots. He said the BJP has constituted a group of MPs to raise J&K related issues in Parliament. He also invited an open debate to discuss the merits and demerits of Article 370. Khanna also expressed surprise that the J&K Government was putting patriotic youth behind the bars but providing jobs to militants and stone-pelters.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while congratulating the organizers, said, this photo exhibition had immortalized for posterity the pain and agony of displaced Kashmiri Pandit community and added, it was a strange coincidence that the exhibition was being held in the vicinity of Punjab which had itself been witness to one of the history’s biggest migration of population following the partition of Subcontinent in 1947. Referring to recent Kishtwar riots, he said a new phenomenon of “State sponsored” communal violence had been witnessed there which should be a cause of worry for the whole nation.
Ashwani Charungoo gave an overview of the recent presentation made before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and its follow-up meeting called by the Home Secretary to Government of India on the Action Taken Report regarding the recommendations made by the Committee for the welfare of Kashmiri displaced people. The community’s rightful claim on the territory of Kashmir is non-negotiable, he asserted.
Satpal Jain dwelt on certain constitutional aspects vis-à-vis aspects J&K and said the same deserved a detailed discussion.
Shivdass Raina conducted the proceedings of the programme. Virender Raina, National spokesperson-PK and Sardar KCS Mehta, Chairman- Kashmiri Sikh Displaced Forum organized the Anandpur Sahib Yatra after the programme in which a large number of people participated and paid obeisance at the great pilgrimage centre in the memory of the supreme sacrifice made by Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Maharaj. A documentary on Kashmir was also displayed in the programme.
B.L.Dhar, President, KSS-Chandigarh, I.K.Kaul, President, KPS-Panchkula, senior leaders Sqr.leader B.L.Sadhu and Sh. A.K.Nehru also present.Samir Bhat, Youth leader organized the participation of youth.
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