'Attacks on Hindu Temples in Kashmir' - by Dr Girdhari Lal Bhan

[Guest guest]

indicjournalists, "Pranawa C. Deshmukh"

<pcdeshmukh> wrote:

 

Attacks on Hindu Temples in Kashmir

 

 

[Note: In Kashmir Hindu culture and faith have been

under constant attack since the advent of Islam from

the beginning of the 14th Century AD. The information

compiled here focuses mainly on the desecration and

destruction of Hindu places of worship since the

beginning of the armed insurgency in 1986. Only the

main temples and shrines are mentioned. Many smaller

places of worship are not listed.

 

There is now incontrovertible evidence to confirm that

numerous Hindu temples were desecrated / damaged /

destroyed in a vicious but sustained anti-Hindu frenzy

(Ref 5-28). Reference to police records, First

Incident Report (FIR), where available, is included in

the details given in this report. More recently

Western journalists have visited Kashmir and reported

on, or broadcast video-photographs of, some of these

shrines. Incidentally, in a concerted misinformation

drive that would have put Goebbels to shame, while

these acts of religious hatred were being perpetrated

and for many years after, the politicians and the

journalists kept denying that Hindus had been raped,

tortured, massacred, and persecuted leaving them no

option but to leave their homes in the Valley of

Kashmir to seek safety elsewhere. They also denied

that the places of worship of Kashmiri Hindus had been

attacked (Ref 1-4). These heinous crimes, committed in

a pre-planned manner to `ethnically cleanse' Kashmir

of Hindus, did not concern the columnists and editors

in the print media and the Human Rights officials who

kept silent. No condemnation of these barbaric acts

came from any significant source (Ref 7).

Incidentally, not a single culprit has been prosecuted

or punished.

 

Girdhari Lal Bhan.]

 

 

Pre-1986:

 

55 temples were vandalised, including:

 

Ganesh Mandir, Windows damaged through

stone-pelting.

Ganpatyar, Srinagar. [ From 1953 onwards, this temple,

one of the most sacred has been target of mob attacks

– reaction to fall of East Pakistan, Zia's death,

publication of Satanic Verses by Rushdie, Al-aksa

episode, defeat of Pakistan in cricket, etc. Three

major attacks carried out in December 1990, January

1991, and on May 3, 1991. Bombs were hurled at it, and

rockets launched from across the river on various

occasions. The shrine was saved by the CRPF personnel

who had been permanently posted there to protect it.]

 

Hanuman Mandir, Desecrated before the start of

insurgency necessitating round the clock

Srinagar. CRPF guard. The massive Panchamukhi idol

suffered some damage.

 

 

Arya Samaj Complex, Srinagar. On June 7 1984 at

10.15AM, Arya Samaj Buildings (schools, library,

guest-houses and prayer hall) were attacked by about

300 Muslims, vandalised and burnt. The inmates

reported that members of the State Police were present

but remained silent spectators as the buildings were

razed to the ground. Later, Swami Anand Bodhji,

President Arya Pratinidhi Sabha New Delhi and Arya

Samaj Purohit N P Shastri met Chief Minister Farooq

Abdullah. The latter told them not to make the mistake

of rebuilding as Kashmiri people were against that. He

rejected outright a request for compensation. The

insurance company similarly refused to pay

compensation claiming that the policy did not cover

riot-damage.

 

 

 

 

February 1986:

 

Mandirs vandalised:

 

Anantnag District (two temples in Anantnag town – one

damaged and one looted; one in Achhabal desecrated

with human excreta smeared on the idols; temple in

Moripura burnt to the ground; temple in Sagam

demolished; temple partially burnt in Naogam and

another in Teelvani; a two storeyed temple at

Gautamnag in Anantnag (see Appendix I) burnt and its

dharamshalla damaged; pujari baba – elderly priest –

of Krangsoo temple beaten up; temple at Akura in

Mattan and its entire property looted, its sheds set

on fire; temple at Dyalgam heavily damaged by stoning;

temples at Salar and Aishmuqam burnt; two temples in

Brijbihara looted and their ancient idols valued at

over a million rupee each broken; Jaidevi Mandir in

Brijbihara desecrated and its idol stolen; two temples

at Wanpoh Gasipora and the samadhi – mausoleum – of

Swami Dama Kaak, burnt down; two temples and a

dharmshalla at Dhanav Bogund burnt; temple at Chogam

heavily pelted with stones causing extensive damage to

its doors and windows and demolition of three pillars;

temple on the parikrama of the holy spring at Verinag

attacked – its doors broken and idols thrown into the

spring ; Pawan sandhya a site of religious pilgrimage

converted into a mosque; three temples at Larkipora

dedicated to Goddesses Durga and Siddha Lakshmi and to

God Shiva burnt to the ground and their idols broken

into pieces; temple at Fatehpura burnt to the ground

along with its ornate entrance gate, its ancient Shiva

idol broken into pieces; temple at Quill, Pulwama

partially damaged; at Trisal, one temple

stone-damaged, the compound wall of another temple

damaged; the pawan sandhya converted into a mosque. )

 

 

Srinagar District ( Ganpatyar temple heavily stoned;

Shiv Mandir at Jawahar Nagar desecrated and damaged,

its property brought out and set on fire; Dashnami

Akhara in Maisuma, from where Chharee Mubarak leaves

for the Holy Amar Nath Cave, burnt down; Raghunath

mandir damaged; the famous Mata Rupa Bhawani mandir at

Waskura partially burnt; two mandirs at Gandherbal

burnt down and two others damaged.)

 

Badgam District (Yachgam temple partially damaged;

Sharda mandir in Badgam town damaged; temple at

Chadura damaged.)

 

Kupwara District ( Temples at Tekpora and Lalpura

burnt; temple in Handwara damaged.)

 

Baramulla District (Temple in Baramulla town partially

damaged; temple at Vankura severely damaged; one

temple at Sopore and one at Bandipora partially

burnt.)

 

20/02/1986 Dashnami Akhara, Mobs forced entry

into

the temple premises causing a Srinagar.

devastating fire, and loss of property worth crores.

CRP personnel suffered heavy

casualties

protecting the

temple. Temple complex set on

fire, but the main

shrine was saved. Smaller

temple, Mahant's

residence and the sheds in

use of Suraj Transport Co.

were gutted.

 

Bhairon Mandir, Maisuma, Damaged through

stone-pelting.

 

Mandir opposite to Ransacked.

Gurudwara at Amira Kadal,

Srinagar.

 

Shiva Mandir, Jawahar Nagar Attempt made to set

the

temple ablaze. Furniture and Srinagar.

carpet

taken out from the dharamshalla along with

 

pooja material and set on fire. One window damaged.

Idols removed.

 

 

Bhairon Mandir, Karan Nagar, Arson attempted. Matting

gutted.

Srinagar.

 

Shiva Mandir, nr New Secretariat, Arson attempted,

resulting in minor damage.

Srinagar.

 

Shiva Mandir, Chota Bazar, Attacked by about 70

miscreants. Damage prevented Srinagar. when police

fired four rounds in the air to disperse

the miscreants.

 

Shiv Mandir, Desecrated a number

of times.

Sathu Barbar Shah, Srinagar.

 

Narain Matha Mandir, Heavily pelted with

stones

and arson attempted

Solina Tulsi Bagh, Srinagar. Windows damaged.

 

Gautam Nag Mandir, 5 hand grenades

thrown into the

temple complex. Anantnag.

Arson resulted in major

damage. 3 out of the 4 rooms

badly burnt. [see

Appendix I]

 

Shivalaya Mandir, Nayi Basti, Heavily pelted with

stones, then ransacked.

Anantnag. Mandir building

damaged.

 

Dyalgam Mandir, Temple damaged as

the result of

heavy stone-

Anantnag. pelting. Idol broken.

 

Mandirs at Wanpoh on the First

Mandir: Idols

desecrated and then the temple set

Khanabal-Qazigund Road, ablaze. Second

Mandir: set

on fire and damaged.

near Anantnag. Further desecration

of idols

carried out in public on

21/02/1992.

 

Mandir at Aishmuqam, Ransacked. Its idol

smashed.

near Anantnag.

 

Dhanav Bogund Mandir, Set on fire and

damaged.

Kulgam tehsil.

 

20-21/02/1986 Nowgam Mandir, Set on fire and

damaged.

Shangas, Anantnag district.

 

20/02/1986 Acchabal Mandir, Heavy stone-pelting

caused damage to windows, etc.

near Nowgam. Following that, the

temple ransacked.

 

20-21/02/1986 Four Mandirs in the village Ransacked

and looted. Idols broken and property

Luk Bhawan, Larkipura, looted. Temple set

ablaze

resulting in extensive

nr. Qazigund, Anantnag. damage.

[Temple attacked and damaged again in 1992.]

 

20/02/1986 Harishchandra Seva Mandir, Ransacked. The

idol desecrated and thrown into the [An ancient

temple famous for river – later salvaged by the

security personnel.

its kahnkah stone.]

 

Jai Devi Mandir in Kareva Ransacked. Its idol

desecrated and damaged and then village,

Brijbihara. removed. Compound wall broken.

 

 

Vijeshwar Mandir, Human excreta poured

on ten

Shivalings inside the

Brijbihara. Temple. Compound

wall broken.

 

Shiv Mandir, Brijbihara, Temple

attacked and

damaged. Ancient idols valued Anantnag.

at over a

million rupees looted.

 

Shivalaya Mandir, Ransacked. Its idol

damaged.

Janglaat Mandi, Anantnag.

 

Mandir in Fatehpura village. Set on fire. Its idol

damaged.

 

Mandir in the village Ransacked. Its idol

damaged.

Siligam, near Aishmuqam.

 

Shiva Mandir, Koil village, Arson attempted.

Temple

saved from fire-damage by

Pulwama. the temple priests.

 

Mandir in Frisal village, Ransacked.

Idol amd

microphones removed. Pulwama.

 

[Adjacent crematorium: Boundary wall

damaged.]

 

Kali Mandir, Jamia Mohalla, Arson attempted.

Damage

prevented by the

Sopore, Baramulla. Intervention of

local residents.

 

Mandir at Batapore, Slightly damaged

through

stone-pelting.

Sopore, Baramulla.

 

Shailputri Mandir, Damaged.

Baramulla. [Again attacked and

damaged in 1990.]

 

24-25/02/1986 Chandan Pujani Mandir, Set on fire and

extensively damaged. Vyesu village, nr

Qazigund,

Anantnag.

 

Sharada Devi Mandir, Set on fire. A

portion of the

wooden

Yatchkote, Badgam. structure damaged.

 

Shiva Mandir, Sangampura Set ablaze and

damaged.

Village, Badgam.

 

Shiva Mandir, -do-

Magam village, Wadoora,

Badgam.

 

Mandir at Bandipora, -do-

Baramulla.

 

Bhairon Nath Mandir, -do-

Baramulla.

 

Bhairon Nath Mandir, Temple damaged and

idols

broken.

Sopore.

 

25/02/1986 Second Mandir at Bandipora, do-

Baramulla.

 

Attack on temples 1987 – December 6, 1992:

 

Srinagar (Sri Puran Raja Bhairo at Hawal mandir and

Vamadeva Mandir at Hari Parbat – completely burnt;

Kathlishwar Mandir at Zaindarmohalla – partly damaged;

Gouri Shanker Mandir at Kanikadal damaged; Somyar

mandir at Habbakadal completely burnt, later

re-built;, Shiv Mandir at Sheetalnath burnt; Shiv

Mandir at Malapora burnt; Shree Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

at Bulubul Lankar – temple wall broken and ancient

priceless idols removed.)

Baramulla (Sheelputri Asthapan burnt.)

Anantnag ( Gautamnag Mandir and its estate and

Raghunath Mandir attacked on several occasions.)

Kupwara ( Tikipora Mandir attacked.)

Batayar Shiv Mandir – idols desecrated.

Khrewa (Shiva idol in the temple and the holy spring

desecrated – this resulted in Hindu-Muslim conflict in

the village.)

Shopian (Mandir with four buildings and shopping

complex burnt. The mahant – temple priest – was beaten

mercilessly. His assistant was ordered to kill a cow.

Orchards of the temple covering 18 kanals, with pine,

walnut, apple, kikkar and poplar trees, largely

destroyed. The temple priest identified some people of

Danda Mohalla, especially two persons named Hassan

Dand and Kuda Dand as leading the mobs and causing the

carnage, in addition to the activists of

Jamait-Islami. No action was taken against the

criminals.)

 

15/08/1988 Rama Mandir, Maharaj Gunj, Arson attempted

arson à. Minor damage

Srinagar. caused.

 

18/08/1988 Shiva Mandir, Saraf Kadal, Stone-pelting à

minor damage caused.

Srinagar.

 

Shiva Mandir, Temple and ashram

set ablaze with

Bandipore. substantial damage.

 

19/08/1988 Devi Mandir, Set ablaze and

substantially

damaged.

Anantnag.

 

1/08/1988 Shree Raghunath Mandir, Explosive device

detonated in the

Baramulla. temple. Minor damage

caused.

 

Shiva Mandir, Ransacked and

substantially

Shopian. damaged.

 

Mandir in the village Tral, Set ablaze

and

substantially

Anantnag district. damaged.

 

27/10/1988 Basaknag Mandir, Set ablaze and minor

damage

Bhaderwah. caused.

 

01/02/1989 Rawa Mandir, Temple desecrated and

substantially damaged.

Udhampur.

 

24/03/1989 Shree Rama Mandir Explosive device

detonated; the

Auditorium, Barbarshah, auditorium damaged.

Srinagar.

 

03/09/1989 Suchan Nath Mandir, Arson and damage to

the temple.

Shopian, Pulwama.

 

25/09/1989 Supernag Mandir, One idol removed.

Temple

set ablaze.

Guraka village, Doda.

 

26/09/1989 Shree Rama Mandir, Ransacked. One idol

removed.

Badgam.

 

29/09/1989 Shiva Mandir, Chotta Bazar, Ransacked and

damaged.

Srinagar.

 

30/09/1989 Shree Raghunath Mandir, Temple

dharamshalla set ablaze.

Srinagar. Devotees prevented

from offering worship

and from

meeting in the temple hall.

 

02/11/1989 Rama Krishna Ashram Set ablaze and

damaged.

Building, Chotta Bazar,

Srinagar.

 

02/11/1989 Shiva Mandir, Explosive device

detonated.

Kishtwar, Doda. Temple damaged.

 

10/11/1989 Mandir at Banihal, Set ablaze, resulting

in substantial damage.

Doda district.

 

12/11/1989 Mandir at Kulhar village, Set ablaze

and

substantially damaged. Doda district.

 

 

Mandir at Barat village, -do-

Doda district.

 

Rupa Bhawani Mandir, Rockets fired at the temple.

These missed the shrine, Tulla Mulla, Ganderbal. hit

the adjoining walls of the temple causing damage.

 

10/02/1990 Arya Samaj School Mandir, Explosive device

detonated and temple damaged.

Srinagar. Its ex-President Tilak Raj Malhotra, who

lived nearby, was shot dead in cold blood, in his own

home in an attack by six terrorists late at night.

[The extensive property belonging to the temple was

then used as a Muslim school.]

 

24/02/1990 Shree Raghunath Mandir, Arson attempted

and the temple damaged..

Srinagar.

 

21/07/1990 Arya Samaj School Mandir, Explosive device

detonated, causing substantial

Wazir Bagh, Srinagar. damage.

 

04/08/1990 Laxmi Mandir, Set ablaze and

substantially damaged.

Brijbihara, Anantnag.

 

02/09/1990 Shree Rama Mandir, Temple auditorium

substantially damaged by a

Sathu Barbar Shah, Srinagar. rocket launched at

it.

 

07/11/1990 Sharda Mandir, Kaloosa, Set ablaze and

substantially damaged. Bandipore, Baramulla.

 

 

13/11/1990 Mandir at Handwara, Idols removed and

premises desecrated.

Kupwara.

 

 

13/11/1990 Sheetalnath Mandir, Idols removed. Temple

partially burnt down.

Srinagar.

 

Shailputri Mandir, Damaged.

Baramulla.

 

01/01/1991 Nagabal Mandir, Explosive device

detonated, and the

Anantnag. Temple partially

damaged.

 

 

F I R

 

09/01/1991 Shree Raghunath Mandir, Bombed nine

times, seven 307/427

Anantnag. explosions causing

extensive

lodged by Mahant

damage . Sukh Ram at P S

[see also Apprndix I] Anantnag.

 

30/04/1991 Shree Raghunath Mandir, Set ablaze and

damaged.

Srinagar.

 

06/06/1991 Nagabal Mandir and Shree Grenades

hurled;

idols thrown out of Raghunath Mandir,

temple

premises.

Anantnag.

 

08/05/1992 Raghunath Mandir, Temple damaged by

arson.

Karfali Mohalla, Srinagar.

 

06/11/1992 Kheerbhawani Mandir, One saraai completely

gutted. 47/92 u/s

Tulla Mulla. through arson.

436/RPC

 

in P S Damhal-Hanjipora.

 

07-08/11/1992 Shiva Mandir, Inderpan, Partially

damaged. 42 and 43/92 u/s

Achhabal, Anantnag.

436/295/RPC in P

S

Achhabal.

 

Shiva Mandir at Immon, Shivaling partially

damaged.

41/92 u/s

Achhabal, Anantnag.

436/295/RPC

 

in P S Achhabal.

 

Two Mandirs in Shamshan Partially gutted through

arson. 40/92 u/s

Ghats (crematoria) at

436/295/RPC in

Arah, Achhabal, Anantnag.

P S Achhabal.

 

2 Shiva Mandirs at Ashwan, Partially gutted

through

arson. 165/92 u/s

Kulgam, Anantnag.

436/295/153/RPC

 

in P S Kulgam.

 

Kawa Kastoori Mandir, Partially gutted.

163/92

u/s

Dulor, Kulgam,

436/295/153-

Anantnag. A/RPC in P S

Kulgam]

 

Shivala Mandir, Set ablaze and burnt

to 166/92

u/s

Kulgam, Anantnag. the ground.

436/295/153-

 

A/RPC in P S Kulgam.

 

 

 

F I R

Shivaling Mandir, Partially gutted through

173/92

u/s

Dalin, Kulgam, arson.

436/295/153-

Anantnag. A/RPC in

P S Kulgam.

 

Shiva Mandir, Partially damaged.

43/92 u/s

Inderpan, Achhabal,

436/295/RPC in

Anantnag.

P S Achhabal.

 

08/11/1992 Gauri Shankar Mandir, Extensively damaged.

91/92 u/s

Pahalgam.

436/RPC in

 

P S Pahalgam.

 

08-09/11/1992 Shivaji Mandir, Fully gutted.

45/92

u/s

Hangalgund, Kokernag,

436/RPC, 3 Anantnag.

 

TADAPA at P S

Kokernag.

 

Asthapan Mandir, Partially gutted.

168/92 u/s

Kulgam, Anantnag.

436/295/153-

A/RPC in P S Kulgam.

 

Shiva Mandir, Partially gutted.

168/92 u/s

Kulgam, Anantnag.

436/295/153-

A/RPC in P S Kulgam.

 

2 Mandirs at Devsar, Completely gutted.

172/92 u/s

Kulgam, Annatnag.

436/295/153-

A/RPC in P S Kulgam.

 

09/11/1992 Mandir in Kokernag, Completely gutted.

 

45/92 u/s

Anantnag.

436/295/147-9

in P S Damhal-Hanjipora.

 

Mandir at Beeroo, Completely gutted.

46/92 u/s

Anantnag.

436/295/147/RPC

in P S Damhal-Hanjipora.

 

09/11/1992 Mandir in Pattan. Partially

damaged.

190/92 u/s

436/RPC, 4(iii) TADA in P S Pattan.

 

10/11/1992 2 Shivaji Mandirs, Partially damaged.

 

278/92 u/s

at Birootooru, and at Bran,

295/436/RPC

Anantnag.

P S Anantnag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

F I R

06/12/1992 Umanagri Mandir, Vandalised and burnt

down.

Brari Angan, Anantnag. (Ref. 25)

 

Kantyayani Mandir, Damaged through bomb

blasts.

Kakran, Anantnag.

 

Mirhama Mandir, Mirhama, Burnt down.

Kulgam, Anantnag.

 

Two ancient shrines at Burnt down.

Hanad Chowalgam, Anantnag.

 

Kulwagishori Mandir, Idols, pictures and

scriptures

desecrated,

Kulgam, Anantnag. and removed.

Dharamshalla burnt

down.

 

Devsar Mandir, Burnt down.

Devsar, Kulgam, Anantnag.

 

Karihama Mandir, -do-

Karihama, Budgam.

 

Tripor Sundri Mnadir, Ancient temple burnt

to

ashes, along with

Khanabarni, Devsar, Kulgam. 3 dharamshallas and

the

havan-shed.

 

Mandir at Areh, Burnt.

Kulgam, Anantnag.

 

Mandir at Langate. Dharamshalla completely

destroyed.

 

Bata Gund Mandir, Burnt.

Handwara, Kupwara.

 

Chogal Mandir. Burnt.

 

Narayan Bagh Shadipora Grenades thrown at

the

temple which started

Mandir, Shadipora, Baramulla. the fire.

 

Bhairav Nath Mandir, Narsingh Burnt down by mobs

in broad daylight.

Garh, Karan Nagar, Srinagar.

 

Sri Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Set on fire by the

mobs.

Buildings, Amira Kadal, Reported by

Radio Kashmir

and Daily Excelsior.

Srinagar.

 

Chak Narayan Dass Mandir, Burnt.

Tangmarg, Baramulla.

 

07/12/1992 Mandir at Oattar Damaged.

188/92

2 Mandirs in Dooru, Anantnag Damaged.

80/92 and

81/92

 

Mandir in Anantnag. Arson damage.

 

Mandir in Srinagar. -do-

 

Mandir in Kulgam, Anantnag. –do-

 

F I R

Shiva Mandir, Sherporagund. -do-

 

Mandir at Kanihama, -do-

Tangmarg Road, Baramulla.

 

Mandir at Kunzer, -do-

Tangmarg Road, Baramulla.

 

Shree Vishnu Mandir, -do-

Jhelum Road, Baramulla.

 

Mandir at Kreevi, -do-

Utrasoo, Anantnag.

 

Mandir at Chittergund, -do-

Anantnag.

 

Shiv-Vishnu Mandir at -do-

269/92 u/s 436,

Bhana Mohalla, Srinagar. 295-A in P S

Maharaj Gunj.

 

Mandir at Karfali Mohalla, -do-

Srinagar.

 

Shamshan Bhumi (Crematorium) -do-

84/92 u/s 436

Mandir, Karan Nagar, Srinagar. RPC and 3(1)

TADA ACT in

P S Karannagar.

 

Mandir at Magarmal Bagh, Burnt down, despite

the

fact that it

Srinagar. Was situated next to the Police Lines

Srinagar!

 

Mandir at Narain Bagh, Burnt down.

Shadipur, Ganderbal.

 

Nand Kishore Mandir, -do-

Sumbal, Baramulla.

 

Kunzer Mandir, Kunzer, -do-

Baramulla.

 

Mandir at Pahalgam, -do-

Anantnag.

 

Six mandirs at Verinag, Gutted.

81/92 u/s

Anantnag.:

436/148/295;

RPC/153 in P S

Dooru.

 

Vamu Mandir, Ancient idol publicly desecrated and

Verinag, Anantnag. then removed.

Mandir on the Verinag Spring. Idols removed and thrown

into the spring. The temple then burnt down.

Vitasta Mandir, Verinag. Temple, as

ancient as the

river Jhelum

(Vetha-Votur) itself, burnt down.

 

F I R

Two dharamshallas, 3 storeyed. Burnt down.

Bonagund Mandir, Verinag. Burnt down.

 

Manzgam Mandir also known as After all its

contents

were looted, the temple and the

Khir Bhawani Mandir, Kulgam. two dharamshallas

attached to it were burnt down.

 

Mandir at Trehgam, Burnt down.

Kupwara.

 

Mandir at Pattan, -do-

Baramulla.

 

Vashnath Mandir, Gutted by arson.

80/92 u/s

Vitasta,

436/148/295/153-

Dooru, Anantnag.

A/RPC lodged in

P S Dooru.

 

Dharamshalla at Boungund Completely gutted by

arson.

Dooru, Anantnag.

 

Shiva Mandir at Immon. Gutted.

84/92 u/s

148/436/295/153-

A/RPC in P S

Dooru.

 

Luka Bhawan Mandirs, Three temples and

dharamshallas burnt.

Larkipora, Anantnag. [Previously damaged

in 1986

and repaired.]

 

Botsar Mandir & Ashram, The temple, 8 houses, 2

cowsheds, FIR in Police

Uttarsoo, 2 kothars of the Hindu community

Control

Room,

were set on fire. Anantnag.

 

Pahalgam Mandir, Set on fire. The tin shed gutted

partially.

Pahalgam, Anantnag. Fire brought under control by the

Fire Services.

FIR in the local Police Station.

 

Shiva Mandir, The temple, 6 residential houses, 4

cowsheds and 2

Sheer Gunj, Anantnag. kothars of the Hindus were set

on fire.

FIR in the local

Police Control Room.

 

Ashmuji Mandir, Burnt down along with the

dharamshalla.

Kulgam, Anantnag.

 

Chatargul Mandir, Set on fire. FIR in the

local

Chatargul, Achhabal, Anantnag. Police

Control

Room.

 

07-08/12/1992 Mandirs at Kulgam, Anantnag:

2 Shiv Mandirs Damaged.

165/92

Sheevala Mandir Damaged.

166/92

 

2 Mandirs in Kulgam Gutted through arson.

Shiva Baguti Mandir, 173/92

Shivalik Mandir, Kulgam

172/92

 

F I R

2 Shiv Mandirs at Acchabal, Damaged.

42/92 and

43/92

Anantnag.

 

Mandir at Dooru, Anantnag. Damaged.

84/92

2nd Mandir at Dooru, Anantnag Damaged. 93/92

 

Ganesh Mandir at Dooru, 1 Damaged.

86/92

Anantnag.

 

Mandir at Akingam, Dooru, Damaged. 90/92 u/s

Anantnag.

148/436/295/153-A/RPC

in P S Dooru.

 

Ganesh Mandir at Sogam, Gutted.

91/92 u/s

Dooru, Anantnag.

148/436/295/153-

 

A/RPC in P S Dooru.

 

Ganesh Mandir at Gutted.

86/92 u/s

Palloo, Dooru,

148/436/295/153-

Anantnag.

A/RPC in P S Dooru.

 

Mandir at Wanada, Gutted.

94/92 u/s

Dooru, Anantnag.

148/436/295/153-

 

A/RPC in P S Dooru.

 

Mandir at Karna Pattan, Completely

destroyed.

185/92 u/s 436 RPC, 4(iii) Pattan.

TADA in P S

Pattan.

 

2nd Mandir at Pattan Damaged.

186/92

 

Nagam Mandir, Partially damaged

38/92 in

Budgam. through arson. P S

Chadoora.

 

Mandir at Bonagam, Partially destroyed.

186/92 u/s

436/RPC,

Pattan.

4(iii) TADA in P S Pattan.

 

Uma Devi Mandir, Demolished through a

40/920/S436,

295

Brari Angan, Anantnag. bomb blast. (Ref. 26, 27)

 

2 Mandirs at Kulgam, Anantnag Damaged.

163/92 and

167/92

 

Mandir at Chandpora, Damaged.

38/92 Budgam.

 

08/12/1992 2 Mandirs at Doda. Damaged.

 

Mandir at Acchabal, Anantnag Damaged. 40/92

 

Mandir at Hanjipora Damaged.

47/92

 

Mandir at Lalpora, Cowshed destroyed. 188/92 u/s

436/RPC,

Bangil, Pattan.

4(iii) TADA in P S Pattan.

 

Mandir at Sumbal, Partially damaged.

178/92 u/s

436/RPC in

Baramulla.

P S Sumbal.

 

 

F I R

 

2 Mandirs, Fully damaged.

Lal Draman and Bijarani,

Doda district.

 

Gauree Sahnker Mandir, Damaged.

81/92

Pahalgam, Anantnag.

 

Mandir at Kulgam, Anantnag Damaged.

171/92

 

2 Mandirs at Panzulla. Damaged.

78/92

 

 

08-09/12/1992 Mandir at Kulgam, Anantnag Damaged.

178/92

 

Mandir and several houses at Destroyed.

189/92 u/s

436/RPC,

Shar Narain Das,

4(iii) TADA in Pattan.

 

P S Pattan.

 

Ashram at Badipora, Wall damaged.

39/93 in P S

Budgam.

Budgam.

 

Nandkishwar Bhairavnath Mandir, Set on fire but

rescued FIR lodged at the

Sumbal. and only minor damage

local Police

 

resulted. Control Room.

 

Shiva Mandir at Damaged.

Damhal-Hanjipora, Anantnag.

45/92

2nd Mandir at Damhal-Hanjipora. -Do-

45/92

3rd Mandir -Do-

45/92

 

Mandir at Kulgam, Anantnag. Damaged.

167/92

Mandirs in Kulgam, Anantnag:

168/92

Shiva Mandir and 2nd Mandir: Damaged.

169/92

 

09/12/1992 Mandir at Bagla, Fully

damaged.

Doda District.

 

09-10/12/1992 2 Mandirs : Chanani Bgala Partially

damaged.

and Mankota,

Rajouri district.

 

Palhalan Mandir, Set on fire

by terrorists FIR

lodged in the

Palhalan, Pattan. during the

night. local Police

 

Control Room.

 

Karihama Mandir. Burnt down.

 

Kreri Mandir. Burnt down.

 

Shiv Vishnu Mandir, Burnt down. [Located

on the

bank of river

Baramulla. Jhelum, it is not

the same as Shilputri

Mandir

which was damaged in

1990.]

 

 

F I R

Mandir at Watipora. Damaged.

 

10-11/12/1992 Mandir at Dathani, Partially damaged.

Doda District.

 

Two Shiva Mandirs in Damaged.

278/92

Anantnag.

 

11-12/12/1992 3 Mandirs: Khudhar, Fully damaged.

Mudhar, and Mansa in

Doda District.

 

Harad Chanan Mandir, Temple set on fire

and FIR

lodged at the local

Harad Chanan, Rafiabad, partially

damaged. Police

Control Room.

Baramulla.

 

13/12/1992 Mandir at Acchabal, Anantnag. Damaged.

45/92

 

15/12/1992 Mandir at Panzulla Damaged.

71/92

 

16/12/1992 Mandir at Acchabal, Anantnag. Damaged.

46/92

 

18/12/1992 2 Mandirs at, One partially and

second

70/92 u/s 436/295/RPC Harduchenam and Panzulla,

completely damaged. in P S Panzullah.

Baramulla.

 

 

18/12/1992 Narayan Bagh Mandir, Explosive device

 

145/92 u/s 436/295/ Ganderbal,Srinagar.

detonated.

Temple 436/295/ RPC ¾ TADA

burnt

down. 25 IAA, 3/5 IES Act

in P S Ganderbal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

 

1. India Today, Feb 28 1993 – `Kashmir Temples –

Damaging Lies', from Aroon Poorie, Editor: `We sent

our Principal correspondent Harinder Baweja, who has

covered Kashmir intensively in the past three years,

to investigate the alleged demolitions' …"For three

years, the BJP has been ranting abut temples in

Kashmir being damaged or destroyed. India Today found

that 21 of the 23 temples named by BJP were perfectly

safe" (Baweja).

 

2. Daily Excelsior, March 2, 1993: Temple Desecration

– Chavan Dismisses BJP Allegations:

`Home Minister S B Chavan today dismissed as `totally

false' the disinformation set afloat by a certain

political party that several temples had been

`destroyed' in the Kashmir Valley. … Mr Chavan said

that one or two temples were damaged but these had

since been repaired…. To say that several temples were

destroyed is "totally false", he said. He said that

independent authorities had also reported that no

temples had been destroyed ….

 

2. Indian Express May 8, 1991 `Temples in Kashmir': B

G Verghese reported that Hindu temples had not been

attacked and were intact.

 

3. Indian Express, June 10, 1991: B G Verghese,

Kashmir Temples Unharmed: `I have been to Kashmir and

can say on the basis of personal investigation on the

spot that the facts given in my article were

absolutely correct.'

[it turned out that his first report was based on

hearsay, and that after it received due criticism, he

made a visit to the Valley, but visited only three

temples in Srinagar city alone, temples that had been

attacked and repaired.]

 

4. Indian Express, Feb. 7, 1993: Mr B G Verghese

reported that Sheetal Nath Mandir had been partially

damaged by an accidental fire.

 

5. Mr B G Verghese, in response to the outrage his

earlier reports evoked, later issued a further report:

 

`I explained that some temples in Kashmir Valley had

indeed been damaged during a period of

communal tension in Kashmir early in 1986, mostly in

Anantnag District, but that the Shrines had been

repaired by the Administration with community

participation … My recent inquiries effectively

establish

that 38 religious places were indeed effected

including Ganpatyar and Sheetalnath in Srinagar ---

There

have been reports of damage to temples in Jammu and

Kashmir after the events in Ayodhya on December

6 1992. Official sources indicate that some 52

religious places, many of them small and isolated

structures,

were attacked stealthily at night, causing minor

damage in most cases'.

 

6. Indian Express, December 15, 1992: `Kashmiri

militants have destroyed at least 40 temples and 150

houses during the past five days, even as pro-militant

political leaders urged Muslim countries to enforce

economic blockade on India for the Ayodhya incidents.

Most of the incidents have been reported from rural

Kashmir, especially Anantnag district in the south and

Baramulla and Kupwara districts in the north. In

Srinagar city, a temple and seven houses at

Banamohalla and a cremation shed at Karan Nagar,

migrant houses at Jawaharnagar, Natipora and some

other localities were burnt. In villages like Wadipora

in Kupwara, Chinigund, Verinag, Peba and Dooru in

Anantnag, Shergund in Baramulla, Kokernag and

Check-e-Narain, entire settlements of minority houses,

schools, dharamshallas and ashrams were reduced to

ashes. While official figures said nearly 1400 were

burnt, the minority community put it around 4,000.

Several precious idols of antique value were also

burnt close with the temples. The house of eminent

Kashmiri poet, Sarwanand Premi at Amnoo in Kulgam was

also reduced to ashes.'

[Note; To-date over 16000 houses belongiong to the

Hindus of Kashmir have been torched.]

 

7. Indian Express, December 26 1992 – R K Bazaz :

`What happened in Kashmir? Some temples were

reportedly demolished and thousands of Kashmiri Hindus

were forced out of the Kashmir Valley. They have

become refugees in their own countries. Why has no one

raised a voice against this? Why have Muslim leaders,

who are so vociferous in defence of the minorities,

not uttered a single word of regret or protest against

this systematic persecution of Hindu minorities in

Kashmir?'

 

8. The Hindustan Times, Editorial – March 3 1986

 

9. The Telegraph, March 4 1986

 

10. The Hindu, March 4 1986

 

11. The Statesman, March 5 1986

 

12. The Martand, Srinagar

 

13. Report prepared by Kashmir Samiti, New Delhi

 

14. India Today 28/02/1993: `Kashmir saw the first

eruption of Communal Violence in 1986 when scores

of homes and shops were burnt and looted. It was in

the midst of this frenzy, in which close to 350 houses

were damaged, that the organised mobs also attacked

and looted temples.'

[Note, this was not `communal violence' is simple

terms. All the perpetrators were Muslims, and their

victims were Hindus. It was a purely one-sided

action, sudden, unprovoked, violent and filled with

mindless vandalism, like the other attacks on the

Hindus, their property and places of worship. The

publication attributed these attacks to the presence

of security forces in the precincts of the temples,

placed there to protect these places, thus indirectly

justifying attacks on places of worship and

exonerating the religious fanatics.

 

15. Temple Destruction in Kashmir: Myth or Reality.

Kidar Nath Sahani, BJP Today,

April 1-15, 1993. pp 11-14.

 

16. Cases of attacks on temples in J & K after

December 6: (From Our Own Correspondent),. Organiser –

 

Varsha Pratipada Special. 1993, pp 35-6.

 

17. Jammu Kashmir Vichar, Daily Excelsior, March 2,

1993

 

18. `I can give three illustrations which can be

verified even now: one is Bhairav at Chattabal in

Srinagar. It was a place for prayers and offerings to

the local patron-spirit symbolised by a majestic tree

standing in attractive surroundings on the banks of

the once splendid Jhelum river. Muslims then suddenly

claimed it as a graveyard. The government promptly

denied Hindus….' – Mr D N Munshi, President All India

Kashmiri Samaj, citing major instances of damage

inflicted on places sacred to Hindus in 1990 – quoted

in:

BJP Today: April 1-15, 1993, pp 11-14, Kidar Nath

Sahani: Temple Destruction in Kashmir: Myth or

Reality.

 

19. Lok Sabha debate on March 12, 1992: Question by

Dileepbhai Sanghani and the answer given by Minister

of State for Home, M M Jacob:

Q: a) Will the Minister of Home Affairs be pleased

to state the details of damage to the religious places

 

in Jammu & Kashmir during each of the

last three years;

b) The corrective measures taken/being taken

in this regard?

A: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has advised

that 38 religious places were damaged in

Jammu & Kashmir – 13 in 1989, 9 in 1990 and

16 in 1991. Measures to protect the religious places

is

a part of an overall effort of the

administration to contain terrorism and to restore

normalcy in the

Valley. The Government has stepped up

pressure on terrorists and vigil on the border.

Intelligence

operations have been further intensified.

 

20. Navbharat Times report on the attack on temples.

Date of publication not available.

Report issued by Madan Lal Khurana on the

temples damaged after Decemer 6 1992.

 

21. Jammu Kashmir Vichar, Feb-March 1993, Temple

Desecration, pp 1 – 24.

 

22. Jammu & Kashmir Government, Department of

Information, Jammu Division – Press Release from

Srinagar 13/12/1992: `… Militants set on fire a place

of worship at Hardu Chevan, Panzala, Baramulla, and

two in Doda District …'

 

23. Jammu & Kashmir State Information Department Press

Release: `41 temples have been confirmed to have been

burnt or damaged in the Valley after Dec. 6, 1992…'

[Note the statement made by the Union Home Minister

Chavan to the Parliament in March 1993 that `… only

one or two temples had been damaged…' (Ref 2)

 

24. Radio Kashmir reported that terrorists had dumped

arms and ammunition in some Hindu temples, used these

as hideouts and misused some for immoral activities.

 

25. Daily Excelsior, 02/11/1992, Usurping Places of

Worship – M L Tikoo

 

26. Daily Excelsior, 31/12/1992: Uma Nagri Temple,

from Swami Svoyamananda: `On December 8, 1992, the

militants attacked and set on fire the Uma Nagri

Complex. In the Complex an old dharamshalla depicting

the Kashmiri art and craft was not even spared and

everything was destroyed within the temple. Besides,

Shri Dhooni Sahib which was burning since 1872 day and

night even during the rule of Pathans has also been

set on fire. In addition to the famous temple

constructed of marble stones inside a pool of water

named Shiv Shakti Kund also was not spared. It was

recently constructed at a cost of more than Rs 10-12

lakhs and with the help of people but it has been

razed to ground by the hand grenades by the militants.

This temple was the worship place for all human beings

before fourteenth century. This is a very condemnable

act of the militants. But I am sorry to point out here

that it has not been condemned by the political

leaders of the various parties. May I ask why they

maintained silence on such desecration? I, therefore,

take this opportunity to tell all the political

leaders that there is no need to treat the different

communities and religions equally as is enshrined in

our Constitution so that no one feels deprived. I

would, therefore, request the print media and the

political leaders to give adequate coverage to this

sad event and also to condemn it openly in order to

counter the militants' acts who are also being

provoked by Pakistan.'

 

27. Letter from S.P. Anantnag to Swami Svoyamananda,

Ambphalla Jammu (DYSPDAR / 1109, 15/02/93: ` … The

buildings of the Trust have been gutted completely due

to the fire. The Uma Devi idol has been broken by the

miscreants into the pieces, but the structure of the

temple is intact. The iron railing is partly damaged

…'

 

28. Jammu Kashmir Vichar, Feb-March 1993, pp21-24:

`Temple vandalising has been a continued process in

J&K State' – Miss Kalpana Bhat – see Appendix III

 

Appendix I:

 

Gautamnag Mandir, Anantnag:

Temple complex burnt to ashes in the presence of

Homeguards personnel. Property loss estimated to the

tune of Rs 2.8 million, not including the priceless

ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit and Shardha. The

orchard spanning 145 kanals of land, with about

30,000 fruit trees, was ruined by fanatical mobs

resulting in the destruction of 27,000 trees.

`One Shri Sukh Ram Dhass, Deputy Mahant of Sri Gautam

Nag Ashram is also in charge of the Raghunath Mandir

of Anantnag Kashmir. He was kidnapped by Muslim

insurgents on 6.3.1991; mercilessly beaten during his

protracted interrogation. A date was fixed for

executing him. He, however, managed his miraculous

escape. Gautam Nag is an aeons-old Shrine. Swami

Sarwanand meditated here for 60 long years during

Maharaja Pratap Singh and Hari Singh's rule. He had

made a big pond called "Lotus Lake". The lotus which

grew here were of course more fascinating and

awe-inspiring than those in the famed Dal-Lake and

Manasbal Lake of Kashmir. The Shrine has been famous

for its Gow-shallas for centuries; for food and fruits

lavishly served to pilgrims, Saints and Sadhus from

all over the country, particularly during Shri Amar

Nath Ji Yatra. These food stuffs would, invariably, go

to the needy Muslim neighbours and orphans and widows

of all communities free of cost in absence of Ashram

guests. On Feb 20, 1986 two-storeyed temple in the

Ashram was razed to the ground by unruly Muslim mobs.

Shri Jagmohan subsequently had a fire proof temple

built on the debris of the burnt temple.

 

The Dy. Mahant gives the dates of fire attacks during

insurgency (from 1990) as under:

12/12/90, 18/12/90, 6/1/91, 7/1/91, 18/1/91, 19/1/91,

27/1/91, 2/2/91, 19/2/91, 28/2/91 and 6/3/91.

Bomb Blasts: On 8-6-91 at 8.30, subsequently repeated

9 times.

Temple attacked with grenades on: 21-6-91.

Petrol Bomb attacks: 12, 13 & 23-11-93, etc.

 

Deputy Mahant approached the authorities to shift ten

starving cows to Jammu or elsewhere. Nobody listened

to his request. "I then sought help from R.S.S. and

B.J.P. They readily managed shifting of cows to Jammu

on their own expenses and at greatest risk to their

voluntary workers including truck drivers", says Sukh

Ram. "The Governor of J & K State promised me on

24-6-91 to have backside wall of the Ashram buildings

repaired besides some essential constructions in the

premises done but the assurance turned out a hoax"

adds the Deputy Mahant.

"On 15th September 1990 I submitted a representation

to the concerned Police Station and also to the D.I.G.

Police concerned, the Governor and others for raising

the strength of CRPF personnel guarding the Ashram

from 8 to 16. To my great surprise and shock entire

CRPF was shifted on 30-10-1990 and replaced by local

Armed Police personnel who looked with contempt

towards me and the Shrine."

Sukh Ram says he made frantic appeals to President of

India, Home Minister, Governor of J&K State and lot of

others but nobody could be moved. The result was that

a double storey house, cow shed, Shali-storehouse,

other minor constructions were reduced to ashes on

19-10-91 at dead of night at the nose of local guards

who did not move even their little fingers and even

whisper while the carnage was on'. Sukh Ram says he

met Hon'ble Home Minister personally and several other

Congress leaders and appraised them about the

continued desecration to the Temples & shrines in

Kashmir but he was unable to evoke any response.'

Appendix II:

 

Kashmir in ancient times:

 

Foreign travellers have recorded that `Hindu temples

were built to endure for all time. Their solidity of

construction and their gigantic size strike one with

wonder that puny man could have built these'. These

travellers often `gazed upon these buildings with

amazement and lamented bigoted fanatics who laid them

to ruins with tremendous efforts'.

 

Al-Beruni, an Arab scholar, referring to his visit to

Kashmir wrote that `in all their grandeur the Hindus

of Kashmir never slackened in their ardent desire of

doing that which was good and right'. He also recorded

that `they were men of noble sentiments and noble

bearing. Books of science, astronomy, space travel,

medicine and the like were destroyed – the labour of

countless ages and researchers'.

 

Bernier, who visited Kashmir with Aurangzeb, mentioned

the Shalimar Garden in his travel accounts. He wrote

that `the doors and pillars of stone used in the

garden during the Mughal era had come from some of the

idol temples demolished by Shah Jahan and that it was

impossible to estimate their value'.

 

Sir Walter Laurence, The Vale of Kashmir:

`While the old Hindu buildings defy time and weather,

the Musalman shrines and mosques crumble away'.

`All books of Hindu learning which the bigoted Muslims

could lay their hands on were sunk in the Dal Lake.

Sikander flattered himself that he had extirpated

Hinduism from the Valley'.

 

Appendix III:

 

Some of the Hindu temples attacked during the 2nd

millennium AD:

 

Tapar Mandir: Built by the queen of Partapaditya

(634-648AD), it was desecrated and destroyed by

Sikander `Bootshikan' (`the Iconoclast'). The next

ruler, Zain-ul-abdin (1420-70), used the stones and

idols of the destroyed temples in the construction of

the bundh (flood-barrier on the sides of the river

Jhelum) over a distance of scores of miles – from

Nayid Khai to Sopore.

 

The beautifully sculptured stones making the steps

leading up to the top of the hill where the temple was

situated were used on the orders of Noor Jahan, wife

of the emperor Jehangir, for the construction of the

grand mosque, to be known as Pather Masjid (mosque

made of stone), in Srinagar.

 

Narparistan Mandir Srinagar was built by king

Likhana-Narendra-ditya (178-191AD). This temple was

turned into a Muslim shrine, and is now known as

Narparistan Ziyarat.

 

Kali Mandir: was built by king Pravarsena II

(79-139AD). The ruler Qutab-uddin (1373-89) converted

it into a mosque to commemorate the Islamic evangelist

from Persia – Mir Syed Aqli Hamdani – who had worked

hard to convert Kashmiri Hindus to Islam.

 

Mahashri Mandir Srinagar: The temple was demolished

and the area turned into a graveyard. The wife of

Sikander the Iconoclast was buried here.

 

Skanada Bhawan in downtown Srinagar: It had a massive

temple and its springs were sacred to Hindus. After

its demolition, it was converted into a

mausoleum/place of worship – ziarat – of Pir Mohammed

Basur.

 

Tribhavana-Swamin in downtown Srinagar: This temple

had been built by Chandrapida (684 – 693 AD). The

temple was laid to ruins and its vast lands used as a

graveyard.

 

Kshana-Ganvishvara: This temple, built in 950 – 958 AD

was desecrated and then destroyed and its sculptured

stones removed for use elsewhere.

 

Didda Matha in downtown Srinagar: This temple built in

memory of Queen Didda was destroyed and then used as a

tomb for Malik Sahib.

 

Vikrameshwara – Vicharnag Mandir: It was built in 521

– 563 AD, and destroyed on the orders of Sikander. The

material taken from the temple was utilised to

construct a mosque on the site.

 

Amrita Bhawan: This ancient temple complex had been

built by Queen Megavahana (22BC – 13 AD). Several

temple ruins in its vicinity have been converted into

Ziarats and burial grounds. Not much is known about

the antiquity of these temples.

 

Raneshvar Mandir: This temple was built by king

Ramaditya (414 – 474 AD) on the site on which the

Mughals later built the Shalimar Garden.

 

Pravarsena II, who founded Srinagar city, built a

villa on the north-eastern corner of the Dal Lake, for

a Hindu saint named Sukarna Swami. This too became the

victim of the religious fanatic.

 

Martand Mandir: This magnificent temple complex,

dedicated to Surya, the Sun-God, was built by King

Ramadeva (2936 – 3005 BC). It was constructed using

massive ornamented and beautifully carved stones,

reaching a height of 150 feet. Its ruins are a mute

testimony to its erstwhile glory and to the

destructive zeal of the religious fanaticism.

 

Buzma Mandir: This temple was usurped and converted

into the Ziarat for Baba Bamdin. Another temple close

by was turned into the tomb of Rukh Din, a disciple of

the Muslim priest Bamdin.

 

Hindu Shrines around the Dal Lake: The slopes of the

mountains overlooking the Dal Lake were, for thousands

of years, adorned with many ancient shrines. All these

were mercilessly demolished.

 

Sharada University and the Academy of Learning at

Vijayeshwari, now Brijbihara: Both these places of

learning were ruthlessly destroyed.

 

Appendix IV:

 

1947 – 1986:

 

Numerous temples fell to the invaders from Pakistan

during the invasion of Kashmir in 1948. All the

temples, as well as the ancient Sharadha University,

situated in the area occupied by Pakistansince that

invasion have been decimated.

 

As patron of Muslim Auqaf Trust of J&K State, Chief

Minister Sheikh Abdullah allowed Hindu temple

properties to be illegally possessed and converted as

Auqaf complexes for the benefit of the Muslim

community. Of these, two deserve special mention:

Durganag Mandir at the foothill of Shankaracharya

mandir which was converted into `Suleiman Complex',

the Hindu religious properties at Hari Parbat

belonging to the Dharmarth Trust were similarly

usdurped and handed over to the Muslim community.

 

1951: Hindus staged a protest against the State

government Food Control Department forcibly annexing

the Bathing Ghat and the premises of the most ancient

Bokhateshwara Bhairav Nath Mandir. A Muslim mob

responded by attacking the Hindu community in

Chattabal Srinagar. A sudden, unprovoked violent

attack was launched on the Hindu devotees as they were

performing yajna. The devotees were insulted, abused,

manhandled and beaten. Many, including women and

children were injured. Filth and rubbish was thrown

into the sacred fire. Utensils, cash and furniture

were looted. Police Station (Bagujas Police Post) was

situated in the building adjacent to the shrine. The

injured victims ran there for help, but the police did

not take any action. In the afternoon of the same day,

Shree Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Safa Kadal Srinagar

wais desecrated. Again, the police did not take any

action against the culprits. [Ref: The notice served

on the State Government by Rugh Nath vaishnavi,

Advocate on behalf of the Temple Trust on 2nd April

1960.]

 

1967: Abduction of a Hindu minor girl, Parmeshari

Handu, by a Muslim gang led to protest demonstrations

by the Hindu community. These demonstrations were

completely peaceful. However they evoked a violent

onslaught against them from the Muslim community.

Dozens of Hindus were tortured and maimed, injured,

and massacred. Thousands were arbitrarily put in jail

where they were tortured. The Union Home Minister S B

Chavan's role in dealing with the grievances of the

Hindu community was nothing less than disgraceful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs

http://hotjobs.sweepstakes./careermakeover

--- End forwarded message ---