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| Hindus from J&K again approaching GOI to open Sharda Shrine for pilgrims | | |
Jammu, June 16: Various Hindu bodies from J&K have again decided to approach the Union Government to take up the issue regarding opening of world famous shrine of goddess Sharda for Hindu pilgrims with Pakistan authorities.
These Hindu bodies have already sent the memorandums to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna.
Taking serious exception to stoic silence maintained by the Union Government over the issue, the Hindu Organisations in their memorandum have urged the Government to take up the issue on the basis of priority with the Pakistani Government in view of the religious significance of the shrine which is the presiding deity of Kashmir. They said despite the assurances given by the Union Government no steps were taken to open the shrine for Hindu pilgrims.
Expressing grave concern over the prevailing condition of the shrine which is in ruins, the Hindu bodies also urged the GOI to take up the issue of its renovation with Pakistan Government which had already given an assurance to various Indian delegations in this regard.
The Hindu Organisations which met here few days back said it is a cause of concern that no headway was made in this regard though issue was taken up with central government and various Pakistani delegations who visited J&K from time to time. Kundan Kashmiri a Delhi based KP leader said “the Hindus of J&K have again taken up the issue with GOI as we are determined to have the holy pilgrimage of Sharda shrine”.
“It is not understood that why GOI is hesitant in not pursuing the issue with Pakistani Government when it has already opened Uri-Muzzafarabad and Poonch-Rawlakot road for people of POK and J&K and promotion of trade between two Kashmirs. Our demand is more genuine and no one can be denied permission to visit his religious shrine anywhere in the world but why GOI is not vigorously taking up the issue with Pakistan is not known”, he added.
“We will rope in all Hindu organizations to approach the Central Government and mobilize the public opinion in this regard. The world famous Sharda shrine situated on the bank of river Madhumati in Sharda village of Tehsil Athmuqam in POK is presently in dilapidated condition as no steps were taken by POK Government for its renovation after partition. The shrine was being properly protected during Maharaja’s rule who had kept a police force to guard it round the clock during his rule in view of its sanctity and religious significance”.
The shrine which had a Sanskrit university adjacent to it during medieval period was a centre of attraction in entire South Asia. However it lost the prominence after partition.
The issue was taken by Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh in 1995-96 when its J&K Prant Pracharak Indresh Kumar first raised the issue in 1995 and demanded permission for Hindu pilgrims to visit the shrine. On the name of shrine a community hall cum research centre Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra was also constructed by RSS in Anand Nagar Bohri in the same year which was inaugurated by the then RSS chief K.Sudershan.
The issue was later taken up by Pir Panchal a NGO with visiting SAFMA delegation in Jammu which also assured that they will pursue the matter with both GOi and Pakistani Government. Later the religious priest of KPs Pt.Omkar Nath Shastri also took the issue with Government and sought permission for its 50 member Jatha to visit the shrine. Despite the CID and other verification the group was not allowed to go to have the pilgrimage said Shastri ji.
The Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra in the same year submitted a list of 70 members to Government seeking permission to visit the shrine but it also met the same fate said Ashok Kangan Ex President JKVM. In 2007 Pir Panchal led by its President Ramesh Hangloo led a Jatha of 20 activists including some ladies to cross the LOC and visit the shrine. The team after two days journey from Jammu to Uri border in Kashmir was not allowed by the administration to go ahead.
However the issue has again got momentum after the Hindu Organisation again took up the issue with GOI. |
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