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| Passage of Kashmiri Hindu Temples and Shrine Bill | | | M.K. Mattoo | 12/10/2015 11:28:38 PM |
| The Hindus of Kashmir are united in the demand for the preservation and protection of the temples and shrines in the valley and are resolved to get the shrine bill enacted. Kashmiri Pandits are the part of composite culture and important component of Kahmiriyat. They have always proved their secular and self character. The valley is abode of great saints and sofis who spread message of love, brotherhood and mutual co-existence. All the temples, shrines and mosques co-exists in all nooks and corners of the valley which are the real indication. In the year 1989-90, the majority of Kashmiri Pandits left the valley and the Hindu Shrines remained unattended. As such the properties of these shrines have been encroached upon and most of these are in deteriorated conditions.
Then C.M Ghulam Nabi Azad had a meeting in Civil Secretariat regarding protection, preservation and development of Kashmiri Pandit's temples and shrines. A meeting was attended by representative of Kashmiri Pandit's headed by Lt. A.N. Vaishniv. He advised all Kashmiri Pandit's associations to come forward with valuable suggestions that what measures could be taken to preserve their cultural heritage, shrines and temples in the valley.
Pran Nath Bhat Trust, the Nodal organization of the Hindus of the Kashmir for the enactment of the Shrine Bill for preservation of temple heritage of Kashmir, has asked the government to pass the Bill drafted by the Drafting Committee of the exiled Hindus. The Kashmiri Hindus shrines and religious places (Management and regulation bill, 2009) (L.A. Bill No. 11 dated: 2009) is necessary to provide better management, protection, administration and governance of Kashmiri Hindu shrines and religious places.
The bill was first brought as a private member's bill by then leader of the opposition in 2004 but then Finance and Law Minister had assured that the govt. will bring a Bill on its own during the previous PDP government. The government didn't bring the Bill till Governor's rule was imposed in the state in July 2008.
However immediately, after taking over the reign of affairs, NC-Congress coalition government introduced comprehensive Bill on the Kashmiri Hindus shrines in 2009 in very first session of the government. The fate of the Bill remained uncertain till April 2013, when it was taken in the House but referred to select committee on the demand of the congress.
In September 2013, the select committee submitted its report and favoured passing of the bill. On March 2nd 2014 during budget session of the assembly in Jammu, the Bill was taken up for passing but Congress, BJP and NPP opposed it and the Speaker sent it to the Joint Select Committee (JSC) which didn't hold single meeting and last session concluded, leading to lapse of the Bill.
After keeping it pending for almost Six years on one pretext or the other and shuttling it between select committee to joint select committee, the NC-Congress coalition government finally dumped the Bill 2009 as entire pending business of 11th Assembly lapsed with adjournment of the last assembly.
The condition of shrines and temples is deteriorating day by day due to lack of proper management and care. Moreover the lands of money temples have been grabbed while some of the temples have got damaged by the miscreants. The encroachment of Kashmiri Hindu shrines land is on increase in Kashmir valley where thousands of Kanals of Shrines land has been illegally occupied by some Government agencies and land mafia in connivance with Revenue department. The property of Hindu religious places right from Verinag to Uri, Kupwara, Kangan and Bandipora as well as Budgam has been encroached by both the Govt. agencies and land mafia having full patronage of law enforcing agencies.
According to reliable sources, a construction of Health centers and sports fields at Kokernag on the land belonging to Hindu religious bodies, or open violation of land reforms. Some government agencies had encroached the shrines land in Tikkar Kupwara while some influential politicians were involved in encroachment of religious places land in Wangath Kangan taking undue advantage of their position. In Sopore Township of Baramulla District of North Kashmir, where the cremation ground land has been grabbed by the Government Agencies for construction of a Bridge over river Jhelum over a decade back. In Wanpooh Township of Anantnag District, land belonging to Samadi of a religious Saint has been encroached by the Health Department while some land mafia groups have also encroached the land of Jwala Ji shrine and Jewan Sahib shrine in Khrew and Ladoo area of Pampore tehsil of Pulwama respectively. The land belonging to Shiv Temple at Bijebhera Anantnag is recently encroached by the land mafia groups. Not only this, the cremation ground Akingham Anantnag has been encroached by influential group of land mafia. Even cremation ground of Chandpora Harwan Srinagar with plantation has been grabbed by the land mafia with the connivance of land Revenue Department.
Who can deny the fact that the aspirations of entire community are linked to these shrines and temples which are not mere worship places for them but cultural centers linked to the ancient Hindu civilization of Kashmir. The preservation of these temples and shrines is must for the posterity and any further delay regarding the passage of the bill will be inimical to the cultural history of the State also.
Hindus of Kashmir has high hopes that the present government of BJP and PDP coalition would fulfill its commitment to enact the temple and shrines Bill for the protection of the temples and Shrines in the valley of Kashmir. Both the parties in power today are cognizant of the need for the protection, and preservation of the temple heritage of Kashmir and have given definitive promises to the community, to bring the Bill. The exiled people are united in their struggled, and have credible leadership spearheading the burning issues of the community. The temple and shrine Bill is one among other demands, on which whole community of Hindus of Kashmir is united. Both the parties PDP and BJP has promised categorically that the party's are one with the concerned and aspirations of the Hindus of Kashmir to have legal mechanism for the protection and preservation and management of the temples and shrines in the valley and would get the bill passed in the legislature.
The community has pinned high hopes in the present govt. and the struggle for the shrine Bill continue till the Bill become Law. All organizations of the community have shown concern in this regard unamousaly. By the enactment of the proposed Law, the ancient Shrines - religious and historic places - shall be protected. The shrine Bill is the consensus demand of exiled Kashmiri's. M.K. Mattoo
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