Srinagar, Mar 9: In a heart-warming display of communal harmony, Kashmiri Pandits, along with local Muslims, came together to mark Mahashivratri with a tableau procession in the Nunar area of Ganderbal, marking a significant moment after 35 years.
Several Kashmiri Pandits while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that since the onset of adverse conditions in the Kashmir Valley in 1989, many Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in various parts of the country.
They added that despite intermittent periods of hope, the situation deteriorated significantly in 2008, 2010, and 2016, bringing Kashmir to the brink of chaos.
However, they added that in a testament to the resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community and the improving situation in recent years, the courage of the Pandits has been reignited, bolstered by the support of local Muslims. “This collective effort culminated in the resumption of the tableau procession on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri in Nunar, Ganderbal,” says Ashok Kumar Raina, a Kashmiri Pandit who was part of the procession.
Sanjay Pandita, a local Pandith youth said that the participation of local Muslims in this event underscores the spirit of inclusivity and unity prevailing in the region. “It is heartening to see local Muslims proceeding side by side with us in this procession. I was invited by scores of these Muslim homes to have meals. This generosity fills one’s heart with good hopes. Many good things await us. I pray that we live as Humans and give hatred no space,” Pandita said.
Reports inform that special security arrangements were put in place by the Ganderbal Police to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event. Notably, SSP Sandeep Gupta, along with district police and civil department officials, graced the ceremony and joined in the festivities.
It was reported further that at the Hari Krishna Temple in Nunar, prayers were offered for peace in Kashmir, symbolizing a collective aspiration for harmony and tranquillity in the valley.
Local Muslims also expressed their joy, noting that the event evoked memories of the pre-1989 era when peace and brotherhood prevailed in Kashmir.
—(KNO)
