The Excessive Court docket of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh has issued a landmark determination, directing the administration to guard Hindu temples, shrines, and holy springs left uncared for after the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. This ruling follows a major courtroom case initiated by Kashmiri Pandits involved in regards to the state of those spiritual websites. The courtroom emphasised the federal government’s responsibility to safeguard these historic locations and invoked the J&Ok Migrant Immovable Property Act, granting authority to the district Justice of the Peace for his or her preservation.
The petitioners additionally raised alarm over encroachments on the sole Hindu cremation floor in Ganderbal district. The courtroom acknowledged the urgency of this concern, ordering the elimination of encroachments inside eight weeks. Moreover, the courtroom addressed a disputed lease on one shrine property, ruling it expired and prohibiting any extension. This judgment paves the way in which for addressing future grievances, permitting any involved occasion, together with petitioners and former stakeholders, to report encroachments to the Ganderbal district Justice of the Peace for immediate motion.
The courtroom’s directive states, “For the explanations talked about above, and with out delving into the competing claims of the petitioners and respondents concerning shrine administration and properties, it’s enough to say that the District Magistrates, who’ve vested authority over migrant properties because the enactment of the 1997 Act, should instantly assume accountability for safeguarding, preserving, and managing temples, shrines, and their related properties. The DC shall take obligatory steps to stop any encroachments on temple properties.”
This ruling has been welcomed by Kashmiri Pandit petitioners, together with Sanjay Tikoo, head of KPSS (Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti), representing those that remained within the valley after the 1990s exodus. Presently, roughly 900 Kashmiri Pandit households reside in Kashmir, with round 3,000 temples, shrines, and holy springs. Of those, solely 105 are well-maintained, highlighting the pressing want for restoration efforts.
Sanjay Tikoo emphasised, “We’ve recognized 1,800 temples, together with 600 cremation grounds and 600 holy springs. Solely 100 temples have remained lively because the 1990s; the remainder are in ruins. We advocate for all temples to be handed over to respective DCs below the ‘Kashmiri Pandit Property Act,’ making certain native committees handle them. Income from these properties ought to go to DCs to stop misappropriation, with obligatory funds launched for renovations.”
Since 2007, KPSS and different organizations have sought safety for these uncared for spiritual websites. Sanjay Tikoo expressed satisfaction with the courtroom’s intervention however voiced issues over earlier orders not being carried out. KPSS seeks a CBI inquiry into temple properties from 1989 onwards to uphold their authentic standing.
“We’ve fought since 2007, and now with the courtroom’s help, we really feel hopeful,” Tikoo said. “Nevertheless, earlier orders had been ignored, elevating doubts in regards to the present order’s implementation. The courtroom has given one month for DCs of Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Anantnag to imagine management of those temples. We await this era to evaluate its execution.”
Kashmiri Pandit organizations stay optimistic that extra orders will comply with, making certain all temples, shrines, cremation grounds, and holy springs are entrusted to respective DCs, restoring them to their pre-1990 state.
1. “Jammu & Kashmir Excessive Court docket Orders Safety for Uncared for Kashmiri Pandit Temples”
2. “Landmark Choice: J&Ok Excessive Court docket Directs Administration to Safeguard Hindu Shrines”
3. “Victory for Kashmiri Pandits: Court docket Orders Preservation of Deserted Temples and Shrines”
4. “Court docket Directive: Preservation of Kashmiri Pandit Non secular Websites After Many years of Neglect”
5. “Historic Ruling: J&Ok Excessive Court docket Acts to Shield Shrines of Kashmiri Pandits”
