Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora launches major campaign to Protect Kashmiri Pandit Temples and Shrines including passage of legislative Bill

Demands an Enquiry with swift Restitution of destroyed
Arya Samaj Mandir in Motiyar, Rainawari
Releases Appeal by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami
Shri Swaroopanand Saraswati Maharaj for constituting
State Governance to provide oversight of Temples and
Shrines

Announces establishment of Genocide Watch desk in
Jammu
Will launch Kashmir Heritage Tours for Globally and
Internally Displaced Kashmiri Pandits
At a Global Press Conference today, GKPD reiterated its
commitment to lead the unified community campaign to
Protect the Kashmiri Pandit Temples and Shrines and
support the passage of a legislative bill led by Prem Nath
Bhat Memorial Trust.

‘After 31 years of determined depredation by forces
vested in the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits coupled with
State neglect and apathy, the condition of our temples is
pitiable indeed’, stated Dr. Surinder Kaul, Co-Founder
GKPD.

Utpal Kaul, GKPD International Coordinator India
continued, ‘The complete burning down of the Arya
Samaj mandir in Motiyar Rainawari which had been
occupied illegally is the most recent sordid story to
emerge from the Valley. We urge Lieutenant
Governor Manoj Sinha ji to institute a time bound
enquiry to identify the perpetrators, provide exemplary
justice and return the property back to the Trust who
are its rightful owners. GKPD has been coordinating with
the Arya Samaj Motiyar Trust, the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha,
Jammu & Kashmir from inception and also with the apex
body Arya Saravdeshik Sabha.’

B. L. Jalali, Rainawari Kashmiri Pandits Action Committee
stated, ‘The community has repeatedly shared the
onslaught of transgressions on our temples but the
authorities have refused to act. A field survey shows that
desecration, destruction, vandalizing, looting,
encroachment is the norm of the land. It is shocking that
even as the community celebrates the 400th anniversary
of Mata Shree Roopbhawani, the temple is being
misused for immoral purposes.

Mr. Jalali continued, ‘The age old, Shiva linga of Bodh
Mandir Kraliyar Rainawari was uprooted, desecrated and
thrown in the river. The local Police has recovered the
moorthy but has refused to return it back to the
community. Similar stories are to be found in the ten to
fifteen temples in Rainawari.’

‘Wholesale illegal sale of temple lands has made a
mockery of the religious rights of the Kashmiri Pandits
who have been ethnically cleansed from the valley,’
stated Dr. R. L. Bhat of PNB Memorial Trust, ‘We urge
the Lieutenant Governor to pass a much delayed
ordnance for the governance of the temples and shrines
which are now facing near extinction. This is cultural
genocide happening in front of us. The Trust will
undertake a major update of its previous landmark study                                                                                          with the support of like-minded Hindu organizations and
those that support religious freedom. A democratically
elected Board will ensure that the Temples and Shrines
Bill is executed appropriately.’

Mr. Virinder Kaul, GKPD Member stated, ‘The State’s
representatives’ responses to GKPD’s detailed RTI
requests reveals that there is a blind eye to the grievous
harm that the community’s temples and shrines have
been subjected to. We will seek recourse that the
consecrated deities of these temples have juristic rights.
That there be a legislative bill similar to the migrants
immovable property act 1997 which protects these
temples, shrines and crematoriums and holds
accountable the State officials charged with such
responsibility.’

Mr. Utpal Kaul emphasized, ‘GKPD has escalated its
commitment to the Kashmiri Pandit community’s
existential battle and opened a Genocide Watch Office
in Jammu. The Office will coordinate its local oversight
and response while working with all relevant
stakeholders. GKPD will continue to raise awareness of
Kashmiri Pandit Genocide and the need for official
recognition of such. As a first step it will press for
progress on the dastardly murder of Sarpanch Ajay
Pandita at the next court hearing in Jammu.’

Dr. Surinder Kaul concluded, ‘GKPD will initiate Kashmir
Heritage tours to connect the Globally and Internally
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits with their roots and
civilizational rights.’

On January 20, 2021 GKPD organized meetings and press
conferences in Jammu, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, New
York, Australia, New Zealand, Germany.”