[Reader-list] The Talibanisation of India
Aditya Raj Kaul
kauladityaraj at gmail.com
Fri Feb 22 17:32:59 IST 2008
Hope something is done to address this issue.
- Aditya Raj Kaul
Campaign Blog - www.kashmiris-in-exile.blogspot.com/
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nishant Dudha <nishant.dudha at gmail.com>
Date: Feb 22, 2008 3:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: The Talibanisation of India
Regret that this document is lengthy. However, it contains some important
facts and figures which should be available to each and every thinking
Indian irrespective of their religion to let them know what a scourge
Minortyism is and the potential it has for destroying our social fabric
and fuelling the growth of Hindu Fanaticism.
If you do not know me well enough or have not received any mails from me in
a long time, the reason why this comes your way is because I reckon, this
impacts us all.
Cheers!
Nishant
*Copies of this memo have been forwarded to the President and Prime Minister
of India as also to the members of the Indian Parliament for their
information and necessary action.*
*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)
email: *krishan.kb at verizon.net
*February 21, 2008
============================================================
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.
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.
*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
- --
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and
write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
Alvin Toffler
http://wanderlustt.blogspot.com
More information about the reader-list
mailing list