Kashmiri Pandits observe September 14 as their Martyr’s Day after their exodus from their origin
Jammu/New Delhi, September 14, (Vijay Kumar) - Kashmiri Pandits observe 14th September as their Martyr’s Day after their exodus from the land of their origin. Glowing tribute were paid to martyr’s on the ‘occasion of ‘Balidaan Divas’ in New Delhi and Jammu.The programme, organized by JK Vichar Manch, was attended by Moti Koul president AIKS, AN Kaul, editor Naad, Vikram Bhat KPCC, Ashok Pandit, Bansi Lal Bhat, Lalit Ambardar, Dr. Ramesh Raina, SK Ganjoo and a large number of community members including ladies and children.
Martyr’s Day is an occasion to remember those who sacrifice their precious lives for some noble and greater cause. Every nation and every race has marked one or the other day for the purpose. India observes its martyr’s day officially on January 30, the day father of nation-Mahatma Gandhi fell to the bullets of assassin. Commemorative bust of Shaheed (martyr) Bal Krishna Ganjoo was festooned with flowers and the environment of the huge and striking park garden was serene, inspiring and mesmerizing. Emotionally surcharged environment evoked memories of the departed souls and the supreme sacrifices they offered for the larger good.
It was on September 14, 1989 that one of their tallest leaders Pt. Tika Lal Taploo was assassinated in broad daylight in a busy area of Srinagar, just near his residence. Pt. Tika Lal Taploo was not the only Pandit to be murdered by brute marauders disguised as the Soldiers of Allah. He in fact was the first in the long list of community members eliminated subsequently till the time entire population was forced to leave the vale of Kashmir. Shaheed Tika Lal was not exterminated by any outsider or ‘Guest Militants” as they were later defined. He was gunned down by local boys, who surely must have got benefited in one way or the other by the humane nature of Pt. Taploo.
Around 2000 members of the community including sessions judge N K Ganjoo, journalist and writer P N Bhat, Telecom engineer B K Ganjoo ultimately paid the price for not heeding to the warnings.
Paying homage to all martyr’s speakers recalled the events of 1989-90 era of Kashmir valley and reminded people present about the situation prevailing 20 years earlier in valley. Talking about Pt. Tika Lal Taploo and the way this brave son of mother India stood firm on his convictions, he said, continues to inspire generations of patriots. Cowardice act of eliminating Kashmiri Hindus physically has failed to silence the voices of reason and nationalism. Function concluded with the combined prayers and singing of Bhajans lead by Veena Pandita.
In another function,displaced Kashmiri Pandits 'in exile' observe 20th year of exodus, offered prayers on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of the first killing of a community member by militants in Kashmir, which triggered their exodus from the Valley.Nearly two dozen displaced Kashmiri Pandit tonsured their heads in New Delhi .
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Kashmiri Pandits
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Balidaan Divas’
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Exodus
