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Pandits observe ‘black day’

Jammu: Kashmir Pandit organisations here on Friday observed a ‘Black Day’ and held demonstrations in protest against what they termed as “loot, plunder and killing of people” during the revolt against the Dogra king in 1931.

Members of All State Kashmir Pandit Conference (ASKPC) wore black badges and held demonstrations at Geeta Bhawan. A large number of activists held demonstrations against the government for observing it as “martyr’s day”.

ASKPC general secretary H.L. Chatta told reporters that it was not a day of martyrs, but a day of loot, killing and plunder of Pandits and Dogras in the Valley during the revolt against the Dogra king Maharaja Hari Singh.

All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) -- a conglomeration of 16 Kashmir Pandit organisations -- held demonstrations in Muthi camp by setting fire to the effigy of the government, which had given a “legal framework and sanctity to looters and killers by calling them as martyrs” .

They also took out rally of over 300 activists in the camp. “We are shocked by the statement of Governor S.K. Sinha, who termed it as Martyr’s Day and a day of emergence of democracy and freedom,” they said.

“If it was emergence of democracy in Kashmir, what about Gowkadal killing in which over 40 people were killed? Was it also for democracy, the Governor should clarify,” APMCC chief Vinood Pandit said. Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch activists took out a rally at Press Club area here and denounced the loot and plunder of Pandits on July 13, 1931.

“Calling it Martyr’s Day shows contempt for victims of the attack,” vice-president of the organisation, R.L. Bhat said, adding it glorifies the communal conspiracies that marred whatever inter-community tolerance existed in the Valley.

“Why the powers that be preferred to legitimise a communal conspiracy and ignore the victims?” Mr. Bhat asked.

Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) also held a protest demonstration in front of the office of Divisional Commissioner in Jammu and Kashmir.

PKM chairman Ashwani Kumar said the incident of 1931 signified the emergence of terrorism and militancy in Kashmir and Hindus were targeted at that time.

Panun Kashmir also held a demonstration terming it as a day of loot. Ajay Charangoo of Panun Kashmir said it was the day when the seeds of terrorism were sown against Hindus in the Valley. -- PTI

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