Srinagar, Mar 06: Kashmiri leader and noted Supreme Court lawyer, Ashok Bhan on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Naraender Modi’s visit to Kashmir and said that Kashmiris are welcoming Prime Minister Narender Modi to the Valley with open mind.
“With terrorism contained,the free and fearless atmosphere in place,the schools and colleges opened up after winter break as the school & college going boys and girls enthusiastically resumed educational & sports activities”, he said.
He said like the boom in tourism in the valley, the people of Kashmir are awaiting to welcome,greet and meet Narender Modi the Prime Minister on his arrival on 7th March in Srinagar .
“Today Kashmiri society is at historical cross-roads. Its peaceful ethos, its liberal Islam, its culture of Sufi saints, its Kashmiriyat and its image as a strong citadel of co-existence and pluralistic society was shattered and devastated by the decades old violence by terrorists and mercenaries. The threat of foisting an alien way of life on Kashmiris by pan-Islamic fanatics is very grave. Now the Society appreciates the peace and law and order process and is inching towards normal revival of civilisational glory fearlessly, Ashok Bhan said.
He said that Kashmiri society, which is predominantly Muslim,is in introspective mode,their choice towards the pluralistic, peaceful democratic and modern way of life shall be reflected by large participation in the PM’s rally.
“ They have introspected the happenings and violence of the past three decades and have optimistically decided about future socio-cultural dispensation based on plural and mutual coexistence under which they have to live”, he said.
He said that Kashmiris across the political and civil society spectrum including religious leaders have appealed their displaced native brethren of Kashmiri Pandit community to return to Valley and contribute shoulder to shoulder in revival of the glorious civilisational ethos.Kashmir is the holy land of Science and innovation with Divine grace of spirituality existing through ages.It is rightly described as the cradle of civilisation.
“Kashmir is incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandit community’s physical presence and participation in the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir. The people are with high hopes awaiting for the PM to make at least a few important announcements including the promise of the arrival of big industries and corporate houses in the Valley to augment the employment potential & provide opportunities to educated and skilled unemployed youth. the promised restoration of the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. The holding of assembly elections either along with Parliamentary elections or before September 2024 as advised by the hon’ble Supreme Court. A structured plan for return of exiled Kashmiri Pandit Community physically back in the valley”, Ashok Bhan siad.
