Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: A delegation of Vetasta Devsathan Prabandak Committee, (VDPC) Verinag led by Ashok Ji Koul called on Minister of Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli here, today and objected construction of fish farm near ancient Hindu Shrine Mata Vetasta which is commonly known as Vyeth Vathur at Khagund Verinag in Kashmir valley.
The delegation said that construction of such projects at a holy shrine will not only erode the sanctity of the religious place but will also hurt the religious sentiments of the devotees and members of Pandit community.
Moreover the land being used for the farm also belongs to the shrine which too has been encroached by the department without the consent and information of the Committee managing the shrine.
The delegation said that the matter was brought in the notice of Director Fisheries as well as Joint Director but they did not pay any heed to it which has generated a resentment among the Committee members. Terming the issue very serious the delegation sought immediate intervention of the Minister and he was urged to pass the directions to concerned authorities to stop the ongoing construction of the fish farm without further delay and shift the proposed farm away from the religious shrine to some other place so that the religious sentiments of the devotees are protected.
In this connection the Minister issued on spot directives to Director Fisheries urging him to stop the work on the fish farm and it should be shifted to other place so that the sanctity of the shrine is maintained and sentiments of devotees are not hurt. The Minister said that it is the responsibility of the Government to protect the religious places of Hindus in Valley, he added.
The other members of the delegation were Badri Nath Tickoo, Omkar Nath Pandita, B K Bhat, Maharaj Krishan Koul and R K Bhat general secretary of the Committee.
Follow our WhatsApp channel