Srinagar: Lesser number of Kashmiri Pandits visited the Tulmulla in Ganderbal after two years of Covid restriction to celebrate the Kheer Bhawani festival on the occasion of “Jyeshtha Ashtami” on Wednesday.
Some Pandits had come from Jammu in buses under tight security while others from nearby villages of the Ganderbal district and other valley parties performed pooja at the Kheer Bhawani or the Rgnya Devi temple at Tulmulla.
Non locals who are working in the Kashmir valley were also seen descending upon the temple on the occasion.
The Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti (KPSS) on Tuesday said in a tweet “In between target killings and relocation demands by employees, Kheer Bhawani Mela became point of ego for the Administration”,.
In another tweet the KPSS said the government is desperate to show to the world that normalcy has returned to Kashmir and we KPs are just collateral damage in this success. Ruling party is trying hard to bring Kashmiri Pandits to Kheer Bhawani. Despite cancellation requests dozens of JKRTC vehicles have been stationed at different places in Jammu.
The members of the majority community welcome the Kashmiri Pandits on their arrival at the temple. Pandits purchased pooja items from the Muslims who had put up their stall near the temple.
The authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the visiting pilgrims. Three tier security arrangements were put in place to thwart any untoward incident.
An elderly Kashmiri migrant pandit woman who had come from Jammu told UNI that there was no hope that we could make it to the Kheer Bhawani for Darshan this time.
She said due to fear among the community members amid recent incidents that happened in the Kashmir valley “Mata” called us here and we made it and this is the biggest thing for us to be present here.
She prayed for peace, prosperity and traditional brotherhood prevails in Kashmir valley so that all people together live to reproduce “Kashmiriyat” again.
Nana Ji, a migrant pandit, said that the community members were scared due to the recent targeted killings that happened in the Kashmir valley.
He appealed to the Muslim community to come out on roads and join hand with Pandits to denounce the targeted killings in Kashmir.
“Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christians are all brothers…that is called the Kashmiriyat”, he said and added “the communal brotherhood is even visibile today in the Kashmir but I urge all Muslims to come out to protest against the recent targeted killings”.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Koul prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Kashmir valley during pooja at the temple.
He said that the terrorist activities should come to an end and the government must curb these incidents to restore the peace and tranquility in the Kashmir valley.
President of the Hindu Welfare Society of Kashmir Chunni Lal who had not migrated from Kashmir valley said that he could not visit the Temple today due to prevailing situation.
Living in the Indira Nagar area of Srinagar, Lal said that “I used to put my organization's banner at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple a week before the occasion, but due to fear among the community members they could not visit this time”.
He said “there could be less presence at Kheer Bhawani today as majority of the members did not visit the temple due to fear of keeping in view the present situation”.
He said “We want to live in peace without any fear. Not only the members of the minority community whole of Kashmir including the majority community want to live in peace. We have seen destruction for the past 35 years now. Our children are living in fear. They have not seen their peaceful life”.
He said “the Pandit community has not boycotted but did not come out of our homes due the prevailing circumstances”
“Kheer Bhawani Mela is depicting traditional Kashmiri brotherhood” where Muslims are selling Pooja items including milk for members of the minority community”, he said and added, at Indira Nagar where the Pandits usually were boarding vehicles early in the morning to visit to Kheer Bhawani Temple at Tulmulla but this time they stayed away”.
Lal said that the Government has the resources and they should provide safety to the people in general and Kashmiri pandits in particular. “When people feel safe, they will come forward and say there is someone taking care of them. Otherwise it is a failed administration”.
Regarding the Kashmiri pandit employees who are working in Kashmir valley under the Prime Minister's package, he said, the employees have their own strategy. They have to work …but authorities should provide them safety. (UNI)