Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/ Rakesh
JAMMU, Jan 20: Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) today reiterated its demand for passage of Temples and Shrines Bill for protection of Hindu shrines and temples in Kashmir Valley which have suffered a heavy loss and damage during last 24 year turmoil through the hands of anti national elements and land mafia groups.
Addressing a press conference chief spokesperson of the Trust, Dr RL Bhat said the Bill for whose passage the Trust has launched the struggle is just to protect the Hindu shrines and temples by forming a Shrine Board.
He said that the PNBMT is pained to find that the officials of the Dharmarth Trust are making a false propangada against the Trust.
He added the Maharaja had created DT with a specific condition that no temple properties will be sold but unfortunately it has also failed to protect the shrines and temples which were managed by it.
Dr Bhat informed that even some of the officials of Dharmarth Trust were involved in selling temple lands and shrines land which included 100 kanals of Jawala Ji land. The Shrine Board will be accountable as every community member will have voting right in it which is to be established under the Bill and nobody would have his individual control over the temples.
“We had met former Sadar Riyasat, Dr Karan Singh and offered him to head the Board on Kashmiri temples and shrines after the passage of the Bill and there is nothing personnel with him”, he said, adding that “there is an urgent need to set up a Board to ensure maintenance of temples and shrines in the Kashmir Valley.
“We appeal to all stakeholders, including all mainstream political parties, to facilitate passage of the Bill in the State Assembly in the coming budget session”, Dr Bhat added.
Among others present were HN Jatto, MK Jallali, MK Raina, A.N Pandita and HL Bhatt.
Follow our WhatsApp channel