The government of Jammu and Kashmir is contemplating the formation of a high-level committee to restore temples that suffered destruction during the three decades of terrorism in the erstwhile state. This decision came to light during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Gautam Anand, where the government expressed its intention to establish a committee to investigate the “destruction of temples” during the peak of terrorism in the region.
Officials have conveyed to the petitioner that the committee, once constituted, will be chaired by the Chief Secretary of J&K, with the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir regions serving as members. Alongside other individuals, the petitioner, Gautam Anand, will also be part of the committee. The Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh High Court, presided over by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, have scheduled the next hearing for the case on 27th March next year. In a hearing held in September, the court compiled all objections related to the case.
Gautam Anand, speaking to The Daily Guardian, expressed witnessing the destruction of temples in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the period of terrorism, which deeply hurt the sentiments of Hindus. He emphasized the need for a separate department or a uniform Shrine Board to manage all temple affairs in the region. Anand stated, “It is not only about the Kashmir valley but also in remote districts of Jammu, including Doda and Kishtwar, where terrorism prevailed, and Hindus had to move to safer places, resulting in the destruction of their temples and encroachment on temple land.”
In his PIL, Gautam Anand urged the protection and preservation of ancient and old temples in the Union Territory of J&K. He also called for the rebuilding/reconstruction of damaged Hindu temples that are currently in a dilapidated condition. The PIL highlighted concerns about land encroachment and the lack of existing authorities or statutory bodies after the enactment of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.