Kashmiri Pundits observe 20th Martyrs Day
From Khajuria S Kant in Jammu
Kashmiri Pundits observe September 14 as "Martyrs Day" after their exodus from the land of their origin by remembering Pt Tika Lal Taploo who was the first Kashmiri Pundit assassinated by the terrorists in the valley, this day 20 years ago.
On this day, 20 years ago, a veteran KP leader and vice president of J&K BJP, Tika Lal Taploo, was killed in broad daylight by separatists outside his residence in Srinagar, four months before the community members were forced to leave the Valley at the height of terrorism.
Sarla Devi, who is settled in Delhi now, had come here to attend "Amar Balidan Diwas" organised by the All-State Kashmiri Pundit Conference (ASKPC) to pay tributes to those Kashmiri Pundits who attained martyrdom since 1989-90.
Tears rolled down the eyes of Sarla Taploo as she remembered her husband Pt Tika Lal Taploo, who was the first Kashmiri Pundit assassinated by the terrorists in the valley, this day 20 years ago.
Remembering that awful day, Sarla said, "different groups of terrorists used to give life threats to him but he did not bother because he was a brave man."
"Before his death, he took a promise from me that I should continue his work as a social activist and I am doing it. The BJP gave me ticket and I contested the assembly and general elections but unfortunately I couldn’t win."
Expressing the pain, Kavita Saraf (daughter) said, "When I went out of my home, I saw my father’s body surrounded by hundreds of Muslims of our area. I can not forget that scene in my life."
"Two days before his assignation he gave a daring speech at Haba Kadal and suddenly after that we received a threat from terrorists to leave the valley within 15 days. On that very day one agent called him out and said that he had to go to the court for an important case. That was a conspiracy for his assassination."
The ASKPC honoured the family members of few such persons who were killed by the terrorists in the valley since 1989-90 by presenting "Tika Lal Taploo Shaheedi Puraskar".
Protests, public meetings, performance of hawans marked the observance of Martyrs Day.
Continuing its series of protest demonstrations, JKVM paid homage on roads to the martyrs who fell to the bullets and onslaught of Jehadi terrorists.
Addressing the demonstrators JKVM leaders said that Kashmiri Hindus have only been given false assurances and empty promises from the government since their exile. Though different governments have talked of honorable return of Kashmiri Hindus but they have proved only bare words.
They said if Government was sincere towards Pundits it should have directly talked to those who were protesting on roads. They also accused the government of burying the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines Bill.
Panun Kashmir (PK) organised a function at Abhinav theatre in which rich tributes were paid to the martyrs. Two minutes silence was also observed in their memory. The function started with hoisting of PK flag on the dais by a team of organising secretaries. Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs and on the occasion a framed picture with 20 chinar leaves depicting the 20 years of exile was showcased.
While in Delhi, as a symbolic protest to mark the anniversary, 20 Kashmiri Pundits tonsured their heads and offered prayers for thousands of unfortunate victims. Each of the persons who underwent tonsuring symbolically represented each year of their life in exile.
In another programme held at Jantar Mantar here activists of various KP organisations staged a demonstration to mark the 20th Martyrs Day. On the occasion rich tributes were paid to Mr Tika Lal Taploo. Around 80,000 Kashmir Pundits are "living in exile in Delhi and its suburbs and all of them have expressed solidarity with the initiative".
No comments:
Post a Comment