[Reader-list] Hindu organizations deplore govt hypocrisy on Kashmir

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Hindu organizations deplore govt hypocrisy on Kashmir
**Thursday, 09.04.2008, 03:13am (GMT-7)

*

India Post News Service - http://indiapost.com/article/communitypost/3757/

FREMONT: Over 500 Hindus assembled in the Fremont temple last week to listen
to prominent speakers belonging to 17 organizations of their concern at the
continuing unhappy situation in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Community
members in the audience were very saddened and frustrated by the situation
in Jammu and Kashmir State and responded very loudly and in one voice to the
four resolutions which were presented for their consideration by FIA
president Dr Romesh Japra.

A White Paper was submitted to the media at the Press Conference, which was
held after the meeting with public. The press conference was initiated by
International Kashmir Federation (IKF), global organization of Kashmiri
Hindus. The White Paper said, "It is because of these individuals and
organizations that International Kashmir Federation (IKF) has been able to
place Kashmir and Kashmiri Hindu plight on the map of the US, by letting
factual reasons for Kashmiri Hindu exodus in 1989/90 known to mainstream
community and constantly educating the US State Department, lawmakers and
policy makers, about the distortions and concoctions which the enemies of
India and civilized society have been portraying about Kashmir.

Over 350,000 Kashmiri Hindus, also called Pandits, had to flee for their
lives after thousands of them were murdered in cold blood by the Islamic
terrorists in early 1990. Even after 19 years, they are still living like
refugees in their own country. Alas, the Government of India is sleeping and
silent!" the White Paper said. It added, "Kashmir once again has been turned
upside down by the Kashmiri Muslims in the wake of their conspiracy against
the official attempts to build temporary shelters to facilitate the
pilgrimage of Hindus visiting the world famous Amarnath Cave of Lord Shiva.

The wild protests in the Kashmir valley to the temporary lease of forestland
to Shri Amar Nath Shrine Board (SASB) makes a sad and painful portrayal of
the exclusivist, and illogical mindset that rules the roost in Kashmir. The
well-planned and calculated yet gruesome attacks of terror that struck the
heart of India between July 25 and July 26 left scores of people dead,
leaving behind a trail of destruction. The serial bomb blasts that were
triggered by the Islamic terrorist groups in more than two dozen significant
places including Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley and Ahmedabad, the
capitol of the economically prosperous state of Gujarat, within a span of 24
hours, were intentionally aimed at breaking the resolve of the Indian people
to fight terror in all its forms. "The hideous nature of the attackers is
evident from the fact that they chose to attack even the hospitals where
grievously injured were being treated.

These unprecedented and oft repeated terrorist acts are nothing short of
attacks on humanity and the citadels of civilized world. Terrorism knows no
boundaries or nationalities. It is a menace that needs to be uprooted. The
international body and the world community need to unequivocally condemn
these dastardly acts and not remain mute spectators. "The organizations,
signatory to this Brief, are taking the opportunity to highlight the Jammu
and Kashmiri Hindu victims of terrorism who have been denied the basic human
right of worship and denied appropriate facilities to the Hindu pilgrims to
Amarnath Shrine.

"In direct violations of the Constitution of India and the United Nations
Charter, the Kashmiri politicians are denying the basic human right of
worship to Hindus. They are also purposely creating an atmosphere of
uncertainty and insecurity so that like Hindus and Sikhs of Kashmir region,
the Hindus of Jammu and adjoining cities feel extremely unsafe and helpless
and are forced to leave their homes and hearths en masse. The second version
of exodus of the non-Muslim minorities from the Jammu region is seen by
fundamentalists as a new opportunity of land and property grab in the
ongoing civilization war.

This is also aimed to expand the plan of Islamic colonization of Kashmir
beyond the territory of the valley of Kashmir. "Today, Kashmir is being
openly and boldly divested of its Hindu heritage and is being made more
Islamic by changing names of the places and rewriting history. Denying Sri
Amarnath Board land for the pilgrimage is manifestation of this Kashmiri
Muslim politician's mind-set and historic intent to cleanse Kashmir of
non-Muslim symbols. "Are we aware of the amenities provided to Haj yatris by
the Govt. of India? Do we know how many corers of rupees Government of India
pays for Haj subsidies?

Why should Kashmiri Muslims oppose giving better amenities to Amarnath
Yatris? Why do Kashmiri Muslims consider Hindus as trespassers and would
allow them only as visitors? Why can't Kashmiri Muslims tolerate their own
Kashmiri Hindu brethren with whom they have lived for centuries? "This
struggle has exposed the ugly communal face of separatist forces operating
in the state. The agitation in Jammu has also torn down the veil of
hypocrisy of Government of India. Behind this veil the Government of India
has always concealed its preferences to surrender to Muslim communalism.

"The expressions of the Muslim leaders in Valley and mobilization of people
behind fundamentalist and communal banners once again vindicates our stand
that the political class in Valley continues to reject co-existence as a
cardinal principal of life." the White Paper continues to read. All the
organizations and the 500 community members present supported the demands of
Amarnath Shrine Board Sangharsh Committee in Jammu.

FIA President Dr Romesh Japra initiated the move to pass four resolutions
with the consent of the all those present at Fremont Hindu Temple. Over 500
unanimously affirmed "Aye" when Dr Japra read aloud the following
resolutions: First: Abrogate Article 370, special status denying Indian
citizens ownership of land in their own country whereas all Kashmiris can
live and own property in any part of India. Second: Demanding that the
Indian Government, launch an all out war against all brands of terrorists in
the country and cut their life support systems. It must also warn of dire
consequences against the in and outside sources, agencies and countries that
support these terrorist adventures; Third: Call upon all the nationalist and
patriotic organizations in the country for putting up a united front against
these subversives.

They must also declare their unwavering resolve for combating and defeating
all attempts at fundamentalization and Talibanization of India. They must
commit themselves for maintaining the real secular character of India in
which all communities have opportunity and freedom to perform their
justifiable roles; Fourth: Government of India should desist from any
maneuvers to accord legitimacy to any form of Muslim separatism be it
secession to Pakistan, Independence, shared sovereignty or autonomy. All
speakers lambasted the Government of India for its inaction and double
standards. They said India's true potential as a pluralistic democracy can
be realized when all people live under uniform laws, and no state enjoys
special privileges that excludes others. The youth in the audience were
energized and formed a committee, to get involved in campaigning against the
atrocities met by the victims in Jammu and Kashmir State.

 A meeting will be held in the temple on September 4 to plan future
activities. The White Paper and the proceeds of the meeting in the temple
are being mailed to US lawmakers and to Government officials in India. A
copy is also being sent to the Embassy of India and local consulate along
with United Nations.
*SUJATA SINGH*