Kashmiri Pandits observe Balidan Divas

Scoop News September 14, 2012

Jammu, September 14 (Scoop News) – Various functions were organized by Kashmiri Pandits at different places in Jammu today in connection with observance of Martyrs' Day. The Day is also observed as Balidan Divas.

Panun Kashmir Convener Dr Agnishekhar paid floral tributes to the hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit Martyrs at the historic Jiya-pota Ghat at Akhnoor. In a simple but impressive program at the martyrs memorial built by Panun Kashmir on the banks of Chander Bhaga(Chinab) on the occasion of Mahashraddh in 2006,members who arrived Akhnoor in a cavalcade observed 2-minutes silence and prayed for the eternal peace of community martyrs all those security personnel who were done to death by terrorists in Kashmir .

Mahant Swami Ramanand Das ji ,who presided over the function, delivered a religious discourse highlighting the significance of serving the nation by its selfless citizens . Swamiji while paying the glowing tributes to the Kashmiri Pandit martyrs appealed to the right thinking people of the country in general and exiled Kashmiri Pandits in particular to get galvanized by the sacrifices of those who laid their lives defending civilizational ethos and the frontiers of the country.Among others who offered obeisance at the memorial site at jia-pota Ghat include Sanjay Dattatreya National Cordinator,R C Kaul,Dr Kshama Kaul,Mrs Gayatri Hashia,C.P.Kaul,Vijay Mattoo and Kaul Sahib.

In another function President Panun Kashmir Dr Ajay Chrungoo while paying tributes to martyrs threw light upon the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus and reminded community members that the noble sacrifices offered by the community persons will remain ever green in their minds. Others leaders of organization also paid rich tributes to the martyrs.

The Joint Forum of KP Organizations observed the Kashmiri Pandit Balidan Divas and organized a protest demonstration at outside the Raj Bhawan, Jammu. This day is being observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community as the Balidan Divas since 1990 in commemoration of the martyrdom of Pandit Tikalal Ji Taploo and also the persecution that was inflicted upon the Kashmiri Pandit community in the valley of Kashmir. The Kashmiri Pandit community was made the selected victim of terror and terrorism, murder and mayhem on a large scale resulting in their mass exodus from the valley. The protesters carrying placards and posters raised slogans against terrorism and apathy of the government towards the Kashmiri Pandits.

The demonstration was attended by the activists of the Joint Forum of Kashmiri Pandit organizations. It was addressed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President-Panun Kashmir, H.L.Chatta, President-ASKPC, D.N.Kissu, Chairman-NCMCC, R.K.Raina, Senior Vice President-ASKPC and Virender Raina, Spokesperson-Joint Forum.

The participants raised slogans against the apathy of the government towards the displaced community for the last more than two decades. The protesters expressed their full support to the people sitting on Dharna in Jagti Township and also at the Relief commissioner’s office. The demand for enhancement of relief has already been accepted by the cabinet and there is no reason why such a delay is manipulated by the government. The displaced people are the primary victims of terrorism in Kashmir and it is the duty of government to arrange for their relief and rehabilitation. It is ironic that right to life and right to health are being denied to the people in the Jagti Township when their water and electricity supplies are heavily curtailed. This is a severe human rights violation as these people have also become the victims of the State apathy.

The observance of the 14th September as the Martyrs’ Day reminds the community of the historical facts regarding its ethnic cleansing and genocide. Those who forget the facts of history are condemned to live it again and that is why that the leadership of the community has to remain on guard against any hasty and apolitical move regarding the settlement of the community in Kashmir. While addressing the gathering, the leaders expressed their disgust at the recent utterances of Syed Ali Shah Geelani in which he opposed the construction of road to Amarnath ji Shrine in Kashmir. The campaign against the Pandit community and the Hindu concerns by the separatist forces in Kashmir remains unabated. It is these very secessionists who were responsible for the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits which led to the mass exodus of the community from Kashmir. The displaced community would only return to its homeland in Kashmir at a time of its choosing and when its geo-political aspirations as per Margdarshan resolution are fulfilled through political and constitutional means.