Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Terming the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus from the Valley a conspiracy hatched in Pakistan by radical forces and enemies of peace, film maker and Director, Ashok Pandit sought a thorough probe into it and punishment to culprits responsible for the same.
In an exclusive chat with this correspondent, Pandit strongly advocated for holding a though probe into the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits which he termed as genocide and demanded that the culprits responsible for the same be punished under law. He said seven lakh Pandits were forced to leave the Valley on gun point by the terrorists and separatists on the behest of Pakistan who wanted to convert Kashmir into a theocratic State.
Pandit made an appeal to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and President of India, Ram Nath Kovind and demanded that a thorough probe be conducted to punish these elements as Kashmir belongs to Pandits who are its aborigines.
Earlier talking to media persons along with Preeti Saproo a cine star and advisor Vishwa Kashmiri Pandit Samaj (VKPS) and Kiran Wattal, convener of the Samaj respectively, Pandit said that VKPS while acknowledging the role of great Sikh Gurus in protection of Hindus has decided to undertake a yatra from Gurudwara Shesh Ganj Delhi to Anandpur Sahib to pay their respects to great Sikh Gurus and also foster Hindu Sikh unity.
He said the yatra is planned by various socio-cultural organizations across the country.
Recalling the teachings of the great Sikh Gurus Kiran Wattal, the convener of the Samaj said that they (Sikh Gurus) have left an indelible impression on the Hindus to serve and work for humanity.
He said Hindus are indebted to Guru Teg Bahadur Singh Ji for making supreme sacrifice when these hapless Hindus who were facing brutalities and forceful conversions by the then rulers in Kashmir.
He said the yatra will send a message throughout the country and across the globe that we should live in unison and safeguard those who are facing atrocities, forcible conversions and ethnic and religious discrimination. The yatra is also purported to enthuse the people to stand up and fight fissiparous , subversive and inhuman forces across the world.
Wattal said that it was on the behest of Pandit Kirpa Ram’s request made to Anandpur Sahib in May 1675 that Guru Teg Bahadur Singh Ji came forward as a messiah to safeguard and protect the hapless Hindus. He said the Hindus throughout the world will never forget the sacrifices made by Guru Teg Bhadur Singh Ji and his followers.
Wattal said that VKPS is also planning to build a memorial in the name of Guru Teg Bahadur Singh Ji.
He made an appeal to all Hindus especially Kashmiri Hindus to participate in large numbers in forthcoming yatra.
Pinto Ji a social activist and other members of VKPS including Aryan Ramesh were also present at press conference.