Speaking at the remembrance anniversary function of veteran freedom fighter and spiritual personality of Kashmir Pt Shamboo Nath Bhan noted lawyer and a prominent Kashmiri leader Ashok Bhan said, ” Kashmir today pays tribute not only to freedom fighter and socio-spiritual leader Pt Shamboo Nath Bhan but all those freedom fighters who fought for Freedom of our Country. We the people post freedom generation Salute them.
“Kashmir is the keystone of our heritage and finds mention in the oldest scriptures. Kashmir is an integral part of Indian civilization. It is not a statement but an impassioned avowal. Kashmir is the cradle of rich civilisation was considered the abode of Saraswati, the highest seat of learning in India, and was also referred to as Sharda Peeth.”Ashok bhan said.
So much so that students on graduating from Kashi would take four symbolic steps towards Kashmir, denoting their aspiration for higher learning. Almost the entire body of Sanskrit literature has its origins in Kashmir.
Swami Vivakananda visited twice Kashmir Valley and spent his time in Khirbawani temple and performed Shri Amar Nath Yatra .It is the spiritual personalities like Pt. SN Bhan who founded Kashmir’s Ramakrishna Mission and was a ardent devout of Mata Kheerbawani in his life time who inspired the Kashmiri generations and kept alive the richest spiritual & cultural heritage by his pravachans,articulations, debates & discussions.
Bhan said, “We need to carry such good work forward in this critical time when Kashmir need it most craving for peace and Justice. Kashmiris have consciously acceded to India in 1947 by rejecting Jinnah’s two nation doctrine and after showing him black flags in protest by sloganeering as- “Jinnah go back.” History does not tread the path trodden by kings & Sultans alone. It treads many little paths, through lanes and by lanes peeping into the close doors of the matter & mind.
People of Kashmir sick of terror violence that has brought death & destruction. Kashmir have rejected it and opted massively for democracy and for peace and peaceful life for its present and future generations.”
Exiled natives are longing to return home after 35 years of living as refugees in their own Country. Now on the verge of disintegration are longings to return home and say “Akir Vistapith Kab Tak”
Ashok Bhan empathised, “The country’s constitutional & strategic interests are intertwined with the people of Kashmir and not with the land alone.”
The people include the Kashmiri Pandits as important stakeholders.
“Therefore It is the Constitutional and political duty of the current union Govt. to correct the affairs of Kashmir, restore trust & confident by engaging with the common people. Modi -3:0 and Omar Abdullah’s Government in unison are required to create livings conditions for the people to live peacefully and plan a time bound return , restitution & rehabilitation of Exiled Kashmiri Pandits back to homeland.The societal welcome in Kashmir keenly awaits them back home with open arms to promote the inclusive Kashmiri ethos.” said bhan.
