Letter to Hon'ble BJP/ NDA Members of Parliament
Subject: Massive
destruction of temples & cleansing of Hindus in J&K reflects
state- sponsored Talibanization by the majority Muslim state: Indian Govt.'s silence on the issue
is unforgivable - it encourages fundamentalism &
defeats secularism.
Hon'ble BJP/ NDA Members of
Parliament,
Herewith we are forwarding an important memo we have sent
to the CM of J&K, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad on the “tactical failure”
of the successive J&K governments in protecting the Hindu community of Kashmir. Now the Islamists, who drove the
non-Muslims out of the Kashmir region, have embarked upon the
illegal sale of Hindu temples and their properties. Our memo reveals that Hindu
temples are being destroyed at an unprecedented scale and everything in the
state is being talibanized. Government's indifference towards the temple
security and their functioning has been termed as state’s
tacit support to the persecution of Hindus and denial of their freedom of
religion.
What is difficult to understand is that when the
Govt. re-built Cherar-e-Shareef why can’t it re-build Hindu temples
destroyed in the wake of ethnic cleansing unleashed by the local and foreign Jihadists? The Indian Parliament adopted a law in 1991
specifically requiring that –“the status of religious places,
as on August
15, 1947
shall be retained". Under the present circumstances it is obligatory upon
the Govt. as envisaged by the above referred Act passed by the Indian
Parliament to maintain the integrity of religious entities as it stood in 1947.
Hindus as a minority community in J&K need &
must get special protection: the Kashmiri Hindus shrines and religious
places Bill must be urgently passed by the state to stop illegal sales and
encroachment and other administrative measures taken, like formation of a Waqf- like
Hindu Board for their protection, preservation and development.
The silence by Muslims in India, who are generally so
vociferous on even minor issues concerning their community, could only be
interpreted as their underhand support to Islamists in Kashmir. This raises a serious
question: Why should they get preferential treatment and financial support
from mostly Hindu tax payers for condoning/ supporting anti- Hindu, anti-
national activities aimed at fragmenting the country?
As a party, representing the nationalist and Hindu
segments of the Indian nation, the BJP bears a special responsibility for
ensuring their safety and protection of their religious and human rights.
Concern about these issues must be expressed in public, media and elected
bodies. These issues deserve to be included as a plank in the electoral
agenda of the party throughout the country and used as an instrument of
unifying the nation to force the J&K Govt. to reform its uneven and
discriminative policies vis-a- vis Hindus in keeping with a secular
constitution.
Dear Parliamentarians: Kashmir, an historic place in Hindu ethos,
has since been neutralized and is now speedily being talibanized. A) Hindus have been kicked out of Kashmir and now their temples are being
demolished. B) In Ladakh Buddhist girls and women are being kidnapped and
forcibly married to Kashmiri Muslims and new colonies of Muslim settlers from Kashmir with Govt. assistance have
mushroomed. C) The treatment of Hindus in
Jammu region, where hundreds of new Muslim localities and colonies over the
years have emerged, is not any different. We must put an end to this persisting
erosion and war of civilizations forced upon Hindus. Having already lost Pakistan and Bangladesh now is the time that Hindus and nationalists of India through their representatives, the
BJP/ NDA, draw line in the sand and save ethnically the last frontiers of Hindu
India which must include Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu. Please arise to defend the
traditional ethnic excellence and integrity of Bharat Mata. This is the time for
Action.
We
are looking forward to your prompt action and a word in response.
Best
wishes.
Dr.
Jagan Kaul
Krishan
Bhatnagar
Hindu Jagran Forum (USA)
February 21,
2008
Letter to Shri Ghulam Nabi
Azad, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir State
THE HINDU JAGRAN
FORUM-USA
3145 Gilbert Avenue, Roseburg, OR (USA) 97470
Subject: Massive destruction of temples in
J&K amounts to state sponsored Talibanization of the state: These
religious structures must be protected against the predatory & illegal
Sales, demolition and Vandalism and a Waqf like Hindu Board be formed for their
upkeep and governance.
Hon'ble Chief Minister Azad,
Through this memo we would like to
express our deep disappointment, indignation and out right condemnation on
behalf of a billion members strong worldwide Hindu fraternity about the self
induced “tactical failure” of the successive J&K governments in
protecting the Hindu community of Kashmir. Encouraged by the anti-secular, anti-minority
and Mogul like discriminative policies of the state government. Now these
Islamists, who drove the non-Muslims out of the Kashmir region, have embarked upon the illegal
sale of Hindu temples and their properties.
All these
criminal activities by the Islamists represent the extension of their foreign
inspired “civilizational war” undertaken to remove all traces of
the historical Hindu past in the vale of Kashmir. Massive protests by the remaining less than
5,000 Kashmiri Pandits in the valley against criminally altering the
socio-cultural complexion of Kashmir has been of no avail. On the contrary these extremely
vulnerable non-Muslim Kashmiris have been exposed to serious threats by a very
powerful “Islamic Land Mafia” that if they do not stop protesting they
would face dire consequences like the rest of the exiled Pandit community.
We have been given to understand that powerful interests in
the Muslim dominated State Legislature including the Islamic Land Mafia,
scuttled the legislation that was supposed to stop the illegal sale and/or
destruction of Hindu religious structures. Despite the state government’s “verbal
assurances” to protect temples & their properties nothing has been done
to save them. Even the promise to bring in legislation during the recent
assembly session to prevent sale of such properties was not fulfilled and the
legislature was allowed to adjourn sine die without the introduction of the
promised bill (attachment A). Obviously the assurance by the state authorities
has simply proved to be yet another tactic for buying time and doing nothing.
1) Govt. re-built Cherar-e-Shareef why
not Hindu temples?
Chief Minister Azad when the
Pakistani and indigenous Islamic terrorists burnt and destroyed the holy shrine
at Cherar-e-Shareef responding to the public outcry the Indian as well as Kashmir governments agreed to
rebuild the shrine. Thereupon a team of engineering specialists was detailed to
visit some of the major Islamic states in Central Asian region for examining
their mosques in an attempt to select one of the best of them as a model for
building the new shrine at Cherar-e-Shareef. In the final analysis that is
exactly what was done. Based on this experience the question that arises now
is: if the officials could go to that extent for pleasing and or appeasing the
Muslim community why can’t they re-build Hindu temples destroyed in the wake of
ethnic cleansing unleashed by the local and foreign Jihadists?
2) Govt. Talibanizing everything in Kashmir:
The former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's public
declaration describing Hari Parbat as 'Koh-i-Maran' in 2005 could
only be termed as a shot in the arm of 'talibanization' by the
coalition government. It is believed that the misguided Congress party has
been extending its tacit and full support to the People's Democratic Party (of
Mehbooba Mufti) – the political outfit that has been aggressively engaged in
systematically destroying the symbols of historical importance, cultural
pluralism and talibanizing everything in Kashmir," (attachment B).
3) Hindu temples being destroyed on
at an unprecedented Scale:
The process of desecration, loot,
vandalizing and destruction of temples has continued under the anti-Hindu
Islamic rule through generations with intent to wipe out all traces of
religious and cultural symbols of Hindus. These targets besides the temples
included libraries, universities and ashrams. After India achieved freedom and Kashmir acceded to the Union
of India in 1947 the destruction and desecration of temples under the new
Islamic regimes wearing secular turbans received added impetus and
acceleration. Temple lands, cremation grounds, etc. of Hindus were usurped and
utilized for expansion of the Islamic populace. The famous Bhairavnath temple of Chattabal, Srinagar was locked up by the
police. The judicial case pending in court concerning this temple was never
allowed to be decided. Precious lands around Hari Parbat hill, Durganag temple of Srinagar and lands at several
Hindu places of worship in the Valley were slowly and steadily turned into
lands under occupation of the Muslim trusts (Maqboozai-Ahali-Islam).
In 1967, Shivala temple, Chotta
Nazar, Srinagar was desecrated. Again
in 1984 Shri Hanuman temple at Hari Singh High Street was damaged and in the same year Arya Samaj temple of Wazir Bagh, Srinagar was burnt down. In
view of the Islamic fundamentalist conspiracy against Hindus in general and
unqualified support for their plans from across the border, the law and order
situation in the Valley since 1986 deteriorated progressively and temple
desecration became the order of the day. Here are some of the glaring examples
that defy and shred into a million pieces the tall claims made by the Muslim
leaders of Kashmir about their dedication and adherence to nationalism,
multiculturalism, secularism, Kashmiriyat and religious freedom:
A) In February 1986 some 39
temples were destroyed in Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara and Baramula districts
(attachment C).
B)
From 1987 to 1990 at least fifteen temples were destroyed (attachment C).
C)
Temples desecrated and damaged in Kashmir from 1990 to December 1992 (attachment C)
1.
DASHNAMI AKHARA, SRINAGAR
2. GANPATYAR TEMPLE
3. RAGHUNATH MANDIR, SRINAGAR
4. SHIVA TEMPLE, JAWAHAR NAGAR, SRINAGAR
5. HANUMAN MANDIR, SRINAGAR
6. SHIVA TEMPLE, BARBAR SHAH, SRINAGAR
7. JAI DEVI TEMPLE, BIJBEHARA
8. VIJESHWAR TEMPLE, BIJBEHARA
9. SHIVA MANDIR, BIJBEHARA
10. RAGHUNATH TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
11. GAUTAM NAG TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
12. THREE TEMPLES OF LUKHBHAVAN,
LARKIPURA, ANANTNAG
13. WANPOH MANDIR, ANANTNAG
14. SHAILPUTRI TEMPLE, BARAMULLA
15. DAYALGAM MANDIR, ANANTNAG
16. BHAIRAVANATH MANDIR, BARAMULLA
17. BHAIRAVANATH MANDIR, SOPORE
18. RUPABHAVANI MANDIR, VASAKURA
19. KHIRBHAVANI MANDIR, GANDERBAL
20. SHIVA TEMPLE, GANDERBAL
21. MATTAN TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
D) The Minister of State for Home Affairs,
Shri M.M. Jacob disclosed in the Lok Sabha on 12-3-1993 that 38 Hindu places of worship
were damaged in J&K state, 13 in 1989, nine in 1990 and 16 in 1991.
E) There are reports of further
destruction of some 39 temples in Kashmir after December 6, 1992 for which FIR were
filed (attachment C). Please note that FIRs on all destruction cases were not
filed with the authorities in view of the complicity of the administration and
warnings of retaliation against the complainants by the Islamic terrorists.
F) According to local eye witnesses
accounts there were additional 38 temples that were vandalized after December 6, 1992 (attachment C)
These examples represent only a
fraction of the systematic mass destruction of temples in J&K after
independence of India when the Islamists assumed the total and unfettered control of
the state.
4) The Indian Parliament adopted a law in 1991 specifically
requiring that – “the status of religious places, as on August 15, 1947 shall be
retained". This pre-emptive measure was taken by the national legislature
anticipating possible dishonorable designs of trouble makers and anti- national
elements in various administrations. A faithful implementation of these laws
will require assuring the security and restoration of the community based
management of Hindu temples and their estates.
Sayeed had on June 20 described Hari
Parbat as 'Koh-i-Maran' and a ministerial colleague of his had called Shankaracharya
Hill 'Sulaiman Teng'. Have these short sighted Jihadis ever imagined as
to what might happen if the Indian nation, which is more than 83% Hindu, was to
enforce similar communal, vindictive and religious based punitive policies in India and start undoing what
the successive tyrannical Islamic regimes have done to the Hindu nation? From
that stand point aren’t these fundamentalist, irresponsible street politicians
playing with the lives and welfare of the 140 million Muslims of India?
5) Mr. Chief Minister, government's
indifference towards the temple security and their functioning has been termed
as its support to persecution of Hindus and denial of their freedom of
religion: Govt. must realize that the temples and their endowments
have been built over the centuries by our forefathers and therefore, it is the
community which is their real owner and which must have the final say in the
management and utilization of temple resources.
Under the present circumstances it
is obligatory upon the Govt. as envisaged by the above referred Act passed by
the Indian Parliament to maintain the integrity of religious entities as it
stood in 1947. Any deviation from that will clearly be violation of the
national law and the will unambiguously expressed by the Indian Parliament.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Govt. to restore all the destroyed,
vandalized, looted and desecrated temples and their properties to their glory
as it existed in 1947 and hand them over to the Hindu community. Any thing less
than that will be unacceptable.
6) Formation of a Waqf
like autonomous Hindu Board for temples governance under the Hindu
community’s guidance: Mr. Chief Minister, we strongly believe that for
social issues, religious affairs, community services and temple
administration there must be a representative and an autonomous Hindu
Board with full jurisdiction over temple governance and management. Accordingly
we suggest that the representatives of shrines, temples, Hindu community and
state and national religious leaders, be motivated to convene an assembly where
they could be asked to take charge of clearly defining legal and religious
framework for the community governance of temples and other religious places in
the state. Since the universal right of freedom to manage religious
places is available to the Muslim community which constitutes the majority in
your state, there is absolutely no justification to deny it to Hindus?
7) The Govt. must make room for
community’s vital role in the interim temple management through Hindu
Advisory Councils: Such Councils could play a role in oversight and
decision making process of the endowments department and temple Trusts, where Councils
elected or nominated by the Community and state and national religious leaders
could shoulder these responsibilities. Additionally these Councils could
also stop desecration and decimation of the religious infrastructure by
bringing these issues to the notice of the Govt. and the public, and till an
autonomous Board is constituted for taking over the charge, like the Waqf
Board.
8) Hindus as a minority community in
J&K need and must get special protection: In view of the
internationally recognized ethnic cleansing and genocide of Hindus in Kashmir
it would have been most desirable if the J&K Govt. had brought into play a
policy of special protection as well as financial support to the Hindus who are
in a minority - on the same basis as Muslims are allowed in the rest of
India. We regret to say that Hindus have been effectively cleansed out of
the Kashmir Valley, disenfranchised and
now the focus seems to be on cleansing them out of Jammu as well. The
calculated lack of action by the state in this regard seems to effectively
contribute to the realization of the Jihadists objectives of the talibanization
of the state.
9) Chief Minister Azad, for a starter
may we request your urgent attention for protecting Hindu temples and
Hindu community properties from illegal sales and encroachment by
urgently passing the Kashmiri Hindus shrines and religious places Bill and take
other administrative measures like formation of a Waqf- like Hindu
Board for their protection, preservation and development. This will
be in keeping with: a) high standards of ethics, b) norms and practices in
all open and democratic societies; and, c) the secular Constitution of
India.
Needless to say that
inaction by the state and continuing demolition of Hindu religious
infrastructure carries with it a serious potential for a backlash with
possibility of horrific consequences. The privileges enjoyed by the
Muslims as a minority community in India could also become a subject matter of
controversy if Hindus are continually persecuted in the Muslim majority
J&K state. It is also relevant to point out that most of the budgetary
expenditures in the J&K state are gifted by the Indian Govt. with taxes
mostly paid by Hindus. Surely these taxpayers do not fund the Kashmir Govt. so
it could destroy Hinduism and achieve forced talibanization of the state.
Thank you Mr. Chief Minister and we
are looking forward to your response and prompt action towards resolving this
explosive situation.
Sincerely,
Dr.
Jagan Kaul
Krishan Bhatnagar
Hindu Jagran Forum (USA)
February 21,
Attachment
A
J&K temples being sold, allege Pandits
Kavita Suri
Statesman, Feb 11, 2008
JAMMU, Feb. 10: Kashmiri Pandits allege
that the Muslim-majority government in Jammu and Kashmir is ignoring illegal sale of Hindu temples and other
community properties in the state.
Less than 5,000 Kashmiri Pandits who live in the Kashmir valley say that their resistance to sale of temple
properties has exposed them to threats from a very powerful land mafia. Pandits
allege they have been warned against protesting, or face the consequences.
These Pandits say that despite the state government’s “verbal assurances” to
protect temple properties, nothing is being done to save them. A promise to
bring in legislation during the recent assembly session to prevent sale of such
properties was not fulfilled. To the disappointment of Pandits, the legislature
was adjourned sine die without introduction of the bill.
The Pandits say there is more to the non-introduction of the Bill than meets
the eye. They claim that powerful interests, including a land mafia, scuttled
the legislation.
The ground realities in Kashmir are alarming. The Dharmarth Trust
headed by Dr Karan Singh has locked up an ancient and historical temple Ram jee of Barbar Shah. This is the first time in its known
history that the temple has been locked. Security forces living in the adjacent
dharmashala have been told not to enter the temple precincts.
“For all these years, it was a routine with us, the few Kashmiri Pandits living
in the Valley, to come here every Sunday for a get-together, make prasad and
distribute it among devotees. But the trust management, with the help of the
state government, locked up the temple and no one has been allowed to enter for
the past month,” said Mr Vijay Sas of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti
(KPSS), Kashmir.
Pandits allege that some in the Dharmarth Trust management want to sell off the
property of the temple, valued at Rs 300 crore. In fact, some of them allege
that the property will be sold to an influential Muslim living in the Valley.
The property located just across the Rambagh Bridge and opposite the Metrological
Department is at a prime location.
Inside the huge plot of land, there is an ancient Shiva temple, said to be
around 1200 years old. The lingam is said to be more than 8.5 feet high.
The KPSS filed a PIL in the Supreme Court and was asked to
file a fresh case in the concerned High Court. A case is already pending in the
High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar Wing.
“Since January 2008, another incident of sale of our religious and community
property has surfaced in Kashmir. It is the sale of DAV School in Rainawari
by one Roshan Lal Raina who was just a teacher in that school but turned into a
broker,” said Mr Sas.
Pandits allege that the sale took place at the behest of an
influential official attached to the Director-General of Police, J&K.
“KPSS has taken the legal course in the matter but we are worried,” said a
displaced pandit. But they hope the court will intervene and stay the sale of
temples.
“The problem is that the national media is not interested in the story while
the local Muslim-majority media does not care,” said Mr Sas.
“If the government fails to bring a Bill in the ongoing session of the state
Assembly to ban sale of temples and other religious properties, we will proceed
on a fast unto death,” KPSS president Mr Sanjay Tickoo said.
http://www.thestatesman.org/page.arcview.php?clid=2&id=216888&usrsess=1
Attachmant
B
Mufti govt ‘talibanising everything’: BJP
Source:
PTI
Publication: Rediff on Net
Date: July 2, 2005
URL:
http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/jul/02mufti.htm
Taking
exception to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed describing Hari
Parbat as 'Koh-i-Maran', the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused the
coalition government of supporting 'talibanisation'.
"The
BJP is of the opinion that the Congress party is giving full support to the
People's Democratic Party (of Mehbooba Mufti) that has been systematically
destroying the symbols of historical importance and talibanising everything in
Kashmir," state unit BJP vice president and spokesperson Hari Om told
reporters in Jammu.
The
BJP claimed to have 'definite information' that a few days ago, officials from
the state and New Delhi held a meeting in Srinagar about a proposal to change
names of some landmarks in the state.
Sayeed
had on June 20 described Hari Parbat as 'Koh-i-Maran' and a ministerial
colleague of his had called Shankaracharya Hill 'Sulaiman Teng', Hari Om said,
adding that the BJP rejected outright Pradesh Congress Committee chief Peerzada
Sayeed's assurance that there was no proposal to rename the two hills.
Attachmant
C
|
Destruction
of Cultural Symbols :
Reprehensible History of Fanatic
Vandalism
Organiser, November
14, 2004
Desecration, damage and destruction of temples is not a new and unusual
phenomenon. The process has been continuously going on ever since Kashmir passed into the political
domination of Muslim rulers in the first quarter of the fourteenth century.
Islam, like other Semitic religions enjoins upon the faithfuls to expand
their religion by proselytising the heathens, infidels and kafirs
(non-believers) to their faith to gain religious merit. Jehad or holy war is
the instrument that is used for proselytisation. The Muslim rulers of Kashmir, the Mughals and Pathans made
full use of their political authority to effect conversion of Hindus of the
Valley. To achieve the objectives, it became imperative for them to wipe out
all traces of religious and cultural symbols of Hindus, which included their
temples, libraries, universities and ashrams.
In Kashmir, gunpowder was used for the
first time, not for fighting a war, but for destroying massive Hindu stone
temples. When it was felt that the fissionable material was not available in
a sufficient quantity for iconoclasm, the nearby jungles were cut down and
used for setting on fire the giant stone structures of the Hindu temples. By
excessive heat the stones burst, broke away and these gigantic structures
crumbled in the fire that spread through the length and breadth of Kashmir. The ruins of Martand, Avantipur,
Devar, etc. are mute witnesses of the depredation.
|
Temples Vandalised in
February 1986
|
|
ANANTNAG DISTRICT:
|
|
1.
|
Anantnag Town:
|
Two temples damaged
and one looted.
|
|
2.
|
Achhabal:
|
One
temple desecrated, shit thrown on idols.
|
|
3.
|
Moripura:
|
One
temple demolished.
|
|
4.
|
Sagam:
|
One
temple partially burnt.
|
|
5.
|
Naogam:
|
One
temple partially burnt.
|
|
6.
|
Telvani:
|
One
temple partially burnt.
|
|
7.
|
Gautamnag:
|
One
two-storeyed temple burnt and a dharamshala stoned.
|
|
8.
|
Krangsoo:
|
Pujari
Baba of a temple beaten.
|
|
9.
|
Akura
(Mattan):
|
One
temple and its entire property looted and shed set on fire.
|
|
10.
|
Dialgam:
|
One
temple heavily damaged by stoning.
|
|
11.
|
Salar:
|
One
temple set on fire.
|
|
12.
|
Aishmuqam:
|
One
temple set on fire.
|
|
13.
|
Bijbehara
town:
|
Two
temples completely looted; ancient idol valued at more than Rs 10 lakh
broken; Jai Devi temple desecrated and idol stolen.
|
|
14.
|
Wanpoh
(Gasipura):
|
Two
temples and samadhi of Swami Dama Kak completely burnt.
|
|
15.
|
Dhanav
(Bogund):
|
Two
temples and one dharamshala burnt.
|
|
16.
|
Chogam:
|
One
temple stoned; its doors, windows and three pillars broken.
|
|
17.
|
Verinag:
|
One
temple on the parikrama of the holy spring damaged, doors broken, idols
thrown into the spring. Pawan Sandhya, a religious teerth, converted into
a place for construction of mosque.
|
|
18.
|
Larkipora:
|
Three
temples of Goddess Durga, Siddha Lakshmi and Shiva completely burnt;
idols broken into pieces.
|
|
19.
|
Fatehpura:
|
One
temple completely burnt alongwith its entrance gate; ancient Shiva idol
broken into pieces.
|
|
20.
|
Quill
(Pulwama):
|
One
temple damaged partially.
|
|
21.
|
Trisal:
|
One
temple stoned; compound wall of another temple damaged.
|
|
22.
|
Pawan
Sandhya:
|
Converted
into mosque.
|
|
SRINAGAR
DISTRICT:
|
|
23.
|
Ganpatyar
(Srinagar):
|
Temple heavily stoned.
|
|
24.
|
Jawahar
Nagar:
|
Shiva
Mandir desecrated and damaged; its property brought out and consigned to
flames.
|
|
25.
|
Maisuma:
|
Dashnami
akhara, from where Charri Mubarak leaves for holy Amarnath cave burnt
down.
|
|
26.
|
Raghunath
Mandir:
|
Damaged
by stoning.
|
|
27.
|
Tulamulla:
|
One
temple in the village burnt.
|
|
28.
|
Waskura:
|
The
famous temple of Mata Rupa Bhawani partially burnt.
|
|
29.
|
Gandherbal:
|
Two
temples burnt and two temples damaged.
|
|
BUDGAM
DISTRICT:
|
|
30.
|
Yachhgam:
|
One
temple partially damaged.
|
|
31.
|
Badgam
town:
|
Sharda
temple damaged.
|
|
32.
|
Chadura:
|
One
temple damaged.
|
|
KUPWARA
DISTRICT:
|
|
33.
|
Tekpora:
|
One
temple burnt.
|
|
34.
|
Lalpura:
|
One
temple burnt.
|
|
35.
|
Handwara:
|
One
temple damaged.
|
|
BARAMULLA DISTRICT:
|
|
36.
|
Baramulla
town:
|
One
temple partially damaged.
|
|
37.
|
Venkura:
|
One
temple fully damaged.
|
|
38.
|
Sopore:
|
One
temple partially damaged.
|
|
39.
|
Bandipora:
|
One
temple partially burnt.
|
|
After India achieved freedom and Kashmir acceded to the Union of India,
temple desecration was resumed. Temple lands, cremation grounds, etc. of Hindus were usurped for expansion
of Islam. The famous Bhairavnath temple of Chattabal, Srinagar was locked up by the police. The judicial case pending
in court concerning this temple was never allowed to be decided. Precious
lands around Hari Parbat hill, Durganag temple of Srinagar and lands at several Hindu
places of worship in the Valley were slowly and steadily turned into lands
under occupation of Muslim trusts (Maqboozai-Ahali-Islam). In 1967, Shivala
temple, Chotta Nazar, Srinagar was desecrated. Again in 1984 Shri
Hanuman temple at Hari
Singh High Street
was damaged and in the same year Arya Samaj temple of Wazir Bagh, Srinagar was burnt down. From 1986, the
law and order situation in the Valley deteriorated day by day and temple
desecration became the order of the day.
|
Temples desecrated, damaged
or destroyed in response to community calls for Jehad from 1987 to 1990
|
|
1.
|
Sri Puran Raja Bhairav
at Hawal, Srinagar (completely burnt).
|
|
2.
|
Vandev
Mandir, Hari Parbat (completely burnt).
|
|
3.
|
Kathlishwar
Mandir, Zaindar Mohalla, Srinagar
(partly damaged).
|
|
4.
|
Gouri Shanker
Mandir, Kani-Kadal (damaged).
|
|
5.
|
Somyar
Mandir, Habba Kaddal shopping complex (completely burnt).
|
|
6.
|
Shiva Mandir,
Shetalnath, Srinagar (burnt).
|
|
7.
|
Shiva Mandir,
Malapora, Srinagar (burnt).
|
|
8.
|
Shailputri
Asthapan Mandir, Baramulla (burnt).
|
|
9.
|
Gautam
Nag Mandir, Anantnag (attacks have been frequent).
|
|
10.
|
Raghunath
Mandir, Anantnag (attacks have been frequent).
|
|
11.
|
Tikipora
Mandir, Kupwara.
|
|
12.
|
Sri Lakshmi
Narayan Mandir, Bulbul Lankar, Srinagar (ancient priceless idol removed by breaking one of the
temple walls).
|
|
13.
|
Temple at Shopian with four buildings
and shopping complex burnt. The mahant at Napli mercilessly beaten; a south
Indian sadhu assisting the mahant was asked to kill a cow. Pine, walnut,
apple, kikar and poplar trees spread over 18 kanals of temple land to a
great extent were destroyed. The sadhu identified some people of Danda Mohalla,
mainly one Hussan Dand and Kuda Dand, leading the mob besides Jamaat-i-Islami
workers on carnage.
|
|
14.
|
Idols
in Shiva Mandir, Batayar (desecrated).
|
|
15.
|
Holy
spring with Shiva idol desecrated at Khrew, resulting in Hindu-Muslim
conflict in the village.
|
Temples desecrated and damaged in Kashmir from 1990 to December 1992
1. DASHNAMI AKHARA, SRINAGAR
On the opposite side of the shopping complex of WAKF building, housing a
library, reading room and an office of Jamaat-i-Islami, lies the age-old akhara
in Badshah Chowk, Srinagar. The temple in the akhara is
surrounded by three storeyed shopping-cum-hotel-cum-office complex on three
sides. There is a beautiful park in the premises, dharamshalas for sadhus,
residence of the mahant, etc. The akhara has provided a vast area to Suraj
Transport Company for use as godown and parking space on rent. The akhara has
been a chronic eyesore to the Jamaat-i-Islami. It was attacked countless
times but in early 1990, mobs forced entry into the premises causing a
devastating fire, and loss of property in crores in godowns and a portion of mahant's
residence. CRPF suffered heavy injuries while protecting the temple.
2. GANPATYAR TEMPLE
Ganpatyar has been attracting mob attacks right from 1953. Al-Aksa episode,
Satanic Verses, Zia’s death, fall of East Pakistan, defeat of Pakistan in cricket, etc. have been the causes. From the onset of
insurgency it was stoned, attacked by bomb blasts and rockets on various
occasions but CRPF in one of its dharamshalas saved the shrine at great cost.
3. RAGHUNATH MANDIR, SRINAGAR
The school caught fire when the dharamshala of the temple was set on fire in
early 1990 while worshipping in the temple was forbidden. However, the
worshippers refused to stop worship. The premises were set on fire.
4. SHIVA TEMPLE, JAWAHAR NAGAR, SRINAGAR
The property in the dharamshala was brought out along with some puja material
and idols from the temple; some removed and some consigned to flames.
5. HANUMAN MANDIR, SRINAGAR
Desecrated long before the start of insurgency which necessitated
round-the-clock CRPF guard. The massive Panchamukhi Hanuman idol suffered
some damage in early 1990.
6. SHIVA TEMPLE, BARBAR SHAH, SRINAGAR
It was desecrated a number of times. What is desecrated is not safe.
Desecration itself is heinous sacrilege.
7. JAI DEVI TEMPLE, BIJBEHARA
Desecrated, idols stoned, compound wall broken in 1986.
8. VIJESHWAR TEMPLE, BIJBEHARA
Night soil was thrown on 10 Shiva lingas inside the temple in 1986, and
compound wall broken.
9. SHIVA MANDIR, BIJBEHARA
Ancient idols valued over Rs 10 lakhs in the shrine were looted in 1986.
10. RAGHUNATH TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
According to Mahant Sukhram and other sources, mostly Muslims, it suffered
nine bomb attacks, seven blasts in police station, Anantnag. Refer to FIR No.
307/427 dated 9-1-91.
11. GAUTAM NAG TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
The double-storey temple (60 x 40) was burnt to ashes in presence of homeguard
personnel and property loss was estimated to the tune of Rs 28 lakhs, leaving
aside priceless ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit and Sharda. The orchard on
145 canals of land with thirty thousand fruit trees was mercilessly attacked
by fanatical mobs, leaving hardly three thousand trees to survive.
12. THREE TEMPLES OF LUKHBHAVAN, LARKIPURA, ANANTNAG
Damaged in 1986. Subsequently repaired. Dharamshala burnt, temple suffered
some damage again in 1992.
13. WANPOH MANDIR, ANANTNAG
The idols have been desecrated publicly in respect of this shrine on 21-2-1992, according to sources.
14. SHAILPUTRI TEMPLE, BARAMULLA
Damaged in 1990.
15. DAYALGAM MANDIR, ANANTNAG
It was stoned heavily but was somehow not razed to the ground.
16. BHAIRAVANATH MANDIR, BARAMULLA
Damaged in 1990.
17. BHAIRAVANATH MANDIR, SOPORE
Desecrated and damaged.
18. RUPABHAVANI MANDIR, VASAKURA
Idols, ashram utensils removed. Night soil thrown on the steps in early 1990,
a dozen times. Protesting Hindus of the vicinity mercilessly beaten.
19. KHIRBHAVANI MANDIR, GANDERBAL
According to B.G. Verghese, “Its origin goes to epic times. The security
forces in its precincts attracted rocket attacks on April 4, 1991, which chipped some concrete off the outer gate. It
again came under attack on May 4. Bullet marks can be seen on the other structures.”
20. SHIVA TEMPLE, GANDERBAL
Desecrated and damaged.
21. MATTAN TEMPLE, ANANTNAG
A mob entered the premises, after namaz, claiming it to be a Muslim shrine.
Minister of State for Home, Shri M.M. Jacob told the Lok Sabha on 12-3-1993 that 38 places of worship were
damaged in J&K state, 13 in 1989, nine in 1990 and 16 in 1991.
|
DETAILS OF THE TEMPLES DESTROYED IN J&K STATE AFTER DECEMBER 6, 1992
|
|
DISTRICT
ANANTANAG
|
|
S.No
|
Date
|
Description of Temple
|
FIR No.
|
Police Station
|
|
1.
|
8.12.1992
|
One of Gauri Shankar temple
|
81/92
|
Pahalgam
|
|
2.
|
10.12.1992
|
Two Shiva temples
|
278/92
|
Anantanag
|
|
3.
|
8/9.12.1992
|
Shiva temple
|
45/92
|
Damhal, Hanjipura
|
|
4.
|
9.12.1992
|
Temple
|
45/92
|
Do
|
|
5.
|
9.12.1992
|
Temple
|
46/92
|
Do
|
|
6.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Two Shiva temples
|
165/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
7.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Shivala Temple
|
166/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
8.
|
8/9.12.1992
|
Temples
|
168/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
9.
|
8/9.12.1992
|
Shiva temples
|
169/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
10.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Two temples
|
172/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
11.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Shivalik temple
|
173/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
12.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Shiva temple
|
42/92
|
Achabal
|
|
13.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Shiva temple
|
43/92
|
Achabal
|
|
14.
|
7.12.1992
|
Temple
|
80/92
|
Dooru
|
|
15.
|
7.12.1992
|
Temple
|
81/92
|
Dooru
|
|
16.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
84/92
|
Dooru
|
|
17.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Ganesh temple
|
91/92
|
Dooru
|
|
18.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Ganesh temple
|
86/92
|
Dooru
|
|
19.
|
8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
93/92
|
Dooru
|
|
20.
|
13.12.1992
|
Temple
|
45/92
|
Achabal
|
|
21.
|
16.12.1992
|
Temple
|
46/92
|
Achabal
|
|
22.
|
8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
93/92
|
Dooru
|
|
23.
|
8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
171/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
24.
|
8/9.12.1992
|
Temple
|
178/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
25.
|
8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
40/92
|
Achabal
|
|
26.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
167/92
|
Kulgam
|
|
27.
|
8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
47/92
|
Hanjipora
|
|
28.
|
7/8.12.1992
|
Temple
|
163/92
|
Kulgam
|
| |