PIL for protection of ancient Hindu temples in J&K UT
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a significant development, a Division Bench of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, consisting of Chief Justice N. Kotishwar Singh and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, has issued a directive compelling both the Union of India and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to submit a response by December 11, 2023. This directive comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation
The petitioner, with the utmost respect, underscores the profound significance of Hindu temples in India, underlining their status as the oldest religious institutions, as per Hindu scriptures, Vedas, and other ancient religious texts. The petitioner asserts that thousands of Hindu temples were constructed by ancient kings and rulers throughout the country. These temples, dedicated to Hindu deities, have existed for hundreds and thousands of years and were well-preserved by the rulers of their time.
India’s rich heritage, in all its facets, has faced numerous invasions by external forces, including Afghans, Turks, and Britishers, spanning from the 14th century to the 19th century. Tragically, these invasions led to the looting and destruction of various religious institutions, including ancient temples, mosques, and gurudwaras. Consequently, many temples suffered damage during this period. Following India’s independence, efforts were made to renovate, reconstruct, and enhance these sacred sites, undertaken by government agencies at both the state and central levels.
The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has also experienced similar devastation, invasion, and destruction by external forces. During this tumultuous period, many ancient temples, mosques, and gurudwaras were destroyed or dismantled. Although some temples were rebuilt and repaired after independence, numerous temples in the UT of J&K remain in a state of disrepair
During the 1990s, the erstwhile state of J&K endured over a decade of militancy. Many temples, already in a dilapidated condition, were further damaged and, in some cases, entirely destroyed. Illegitimate encroachment on temple lands became a rampant issue during this period.
The petitioner actively sought information about temples that had been damaged, destroyed, or partially damaged due to militancy, abandonment, or other causes. The responses to the petitioner’s Right to Information (RTI) inquiries provided detailed accounts of the condition of these temples.
The PIL has been initiated with the primary goal of compelling the respondents to undertake the necessary measures to safeguard, rebuild, and renovate the ancient temples in the Union Territory of J&K. Additionally, it aims to rectify the issue of encroachment on temple lands by individuals involved in land mafias and vested interests. The petitioner’s core objective is to protect and conserve the ancient and venerable temples that grace the landscape of the UT of J&K. This also includes restoring and reconstructing religious Hindu temples currently in a state of disrepair, as no existing authority or statutory body is in place following the enactment of the J&K Reorganisation Act in 2019.
This PIL reflects a critical endeavor to preserve the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region by addressing the challenges faced by these ancient Hindu temples and ensuring their lasting protection and restoration.
