JK Minister for protection to Kashmiri Hindu religious places

Jammu,March 27 (Scoop News0 -Highlighting the significant contribution of Pandit Community in social, cultural and political evolution of the State, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs today underscored the need for adequate measures to protect their leftover properties in Kashmir Province including Hindu Shrines and religious places adding that ancient Hindu temples and monuments are priceless treasure of our rich heritage and ethos.

            Interacting with a delegation of Pandit Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, which called on him this afternoon, to seek his intervention in passing the proposed Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2009 in the State Legislature,  Rather said “Every Community has a right to seek protection of its religious ethos adding that Kashmiri pandits are not asking for sky.”

             Rather said that he had strongly advocated in the J&K Assembly, the passing of the proposed law and introduced a Bill to this effect it in the House, despite many odds, when he was leader of the opposition adding that his party also voted for its introduction, consideration and praising in the House. He said our objective was to ensure better management, protection and administration of the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and religious places in Kashmir as also to curb attempts of encroachment on this property by the vested elements, which was left over, by the community in the wake of turmoil.

             Rather assured the delegation that their concerns regarding passing of the proposed Bill, which is presently at the consideration stage in the Legislative Assembly, would be taken up with concerned.

            The delegation members apprized the Minister about wanton sale and encroachment of Hindu religious places and property allegedly going on in various parts of the Kashmir province by the vested elements and urged for passing of the proposed Bill in the current session of the State Legislature without further delay, so that this archival property is protected. “Protection of the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and religious places shall fit suitably in the map of Naya Kashmir envisioned by the tallest leader, Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah”, the delegation members maintained. They also suggested to take on board all the stake holders to pave way for smooth passage of the proposed Bill in the State Legislature.  

            Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust was represented by Rtd. Judge B.L.Saraf, Dr. K.N.Pandita, Bushan Lal Bhat, Ex-MLC, Dr. R.L. Bhat, ,  A.K. Dewani, Dr. R.K.Bhat, Dr. A.N. Pandita,  H.L. Bhat and  C.L.Pandita.