STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq on Tuesday said that misinformation is being created in some news channels that are creating mistrust between communities in Kashmir.
Minister was speaking at a function organised by Kashmir Pandit (KP) Sabha to celebrate Navreh.
MLA Abdul Majeed Padder, MLC Yasir Reshi, Vice Chancellor Central University Jammu, Prof Ashok Aima, President KP Sabha, K.K Khosa, and A. K Braroo, Senior Vice President, KP Sabha were also present in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said instead of bridging the gaps which is the need of the hour, some TV news channels are creating wedge between the communities by making their studios as war rooms.
Calling for dialogue between the communities at every level, Minister said nobody is against the return of Kashmiri Pandits. He said media should play constructive role in bridging the gaps so that the mistrust is vanished. He said the migration was not the loss of Kashmiri Pandits only but the Muslims also suffered as they lost the teachers. He said the migration lead to the causality of real composite culture of the Kashmir valley.
He said there is no alternative to dialogue as confrontation leads to nowhere. He said while the state government want dialogue between two countries to bring peace in the valley, there is also need to increase communication channels between different communities including Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims so that the misconceptions are reduced.
He said the celebration of Navreh is symbolic but the real dawn of spring and new year will be the day peace returns to the valley and when all communities live together with peace and dignity. S.L Bagati read the annual report highlighting the achievements of Sabha which involved assistance to the poor students, widows, weaker sections of the community, assistance for the promotion of sports, medical assistance to the needy persons, construction programme of Old Age Home, Global Conference, etc.
Later, K.P Sabha President, K.K. Khosa gave a brief account of over 104 years of existence of KP Sabha and the aim for which Sabha was framed. He also described its contribution towards the displaced community particularly in the field of education. He informed that the construction programme of Home for Aged is likely to be completed soon. He reminded that Temples and Shrines Bill should be passed as early as possible.
Prof. P.N Trisil gave a decent account of Kashmiri Pandits contribution to Indian culture apart from highlights of Navreh heritage.
Prof. Ashok Aima Vice-Chancellor Central University of Jammu spoke about religious and cultural legacy to be carried by present generation to the next generation. “We should not be complacent in discharging our duty to carry the fame of heritage across the globe, where so ever our community has spread”, he said.
A grand cultural / musical programme was also arranged and noted vocalist Shanti Lal Sidh and his team sang melodious Bhajans on this occasion in mesmerizing voice. Ashok Braroo, Senior Vice President, KP Sabha presented the vote of thanks.
