Srinagar, Apr 24: The Jogishwari Mandir Trust (JMT) has raised alarm over the escalating threats faced by the ancient Gopi Tirath Temples located at Brein Nishat, Srinagar, Kashmir. In a recent meeting convened by Benner Ji Hak, President of JMT, trustees discussed the pressing issue of illegal encroachments and trespassing on the sacred site.
Gopi Tirath, renowned for its religious significance in Kashmir Shaivism, has been a target for land sharks and illegal occupants for over three decades, exacerbated by the region’s tumultuous history of conflict and terrorism. The forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandit devotees in 1990 has left the temples vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous elements.
Addressing the administration, Benner Ji Hak implored the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administration, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, to intervene and provide security for the preservation of Gopi Tirath’s heritage. He emphasized that the site, encompassing temples, springs, and land, is the rightful property of JMT, demanding round-the-clock protection against further encroachments.
Furthermore, the Trust issued a stern warning against unauthorized events or functions at Gopi Tirath, declaring such actions unlawful and subject to legal repercussions. With illegal occupants already plaguing the Jogishwari Temple Shopping Complex in Rainawari, Srinagar, Hak urged authorities to facilitate their eviction to prevent further vandalization and destruction of the ancient Mandir premises.
Present at the meeting were prominent trustees including Surinder Kumar Kaul, Sunil Chowdhary, and B.L. Jalali, among others, collectively highlighting the urgent need for safeguarding Kashmir’s religious and cultural heritage.
