Panun Kashmir on the day of Mother Vitasta reiterates its demand for the establishment of a separate homeland in Kashmir for the displaced Kashmiri Hindus with Union territory status having free and full flow of the Indian constitution. This alone will provide justice to the victims of ethnic cleansing and mass exodus on a permanent basis.
The Daughters of Panun Kashmir observed the Vitasta Divas today on the banks of Ranbir Canal, Jammu and a tributary of River Chanderbhaga. This day is being observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community traditionally as Veth Truvah –the birthday of River Vitasta (Jhelum) for the last thousands of years. The activists of DOPK and Panun Kashmir participated in the programme and paid obeisance to Mother Vitasta, the incarnation of Mata Parvati as described in the Nilmata Purana. Earthen lamps (deepaks) were lighted on the occasion and after performing the traditional Aarti, the activists performed the Deep-Daan. The programme among others was attended by the President of Panun Kashmir, Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, Shri Virender Raina, National Spokesperson, J.L.Kaul, Vice President, the Chairperson of DOPK, Smt. Mohini Raina, Upinder Kaul, General Secretary, Vimla Chrungoo, Secretary DOPK, Kamal Bagati, Organising Secretary, N.M.Gadroo, Sarojini Kuchroo, K.K.Kaul, Raj Mohan and Sameer Bhat. The participants raised slogans of Har Har Vitastey on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President Panun Kashmir said that as indigenous people of Kashmir the Kashmiri Hindus are duty bound to strengthen their cultural traditions and take this message to the next generation. The period of exile has put before us a daunting task of keeping our traditions intact. This is a major challenge of displacement. We should feel proud that we showed resilience and met the challenge successfully. It is the 24th time in exile that we are celebrating this day on the banks of holy Chanderbhaga. We also pay our tributes to Veth Vatur Nag, the origin of river Vitasta at Verinag in south Kashmir. Panun Kashmir, on this occasion, pray for those who lost their lives due to the flash floods and the inclement weather conditions. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is, unfortunately, undergoing the worst natural calamity these days and the government needs to take all necessary measures to provide succor to the affected people in the state.
Shri Virender Raina said that Panun Kashmir on the day of Mother Vitasta reiterates its demand for the establishment of a separate homeland in Kashmir for the displaced Kashmiri Hindus with Union territory status having free and full flow of the Indian constitution. This alone will provide justice to the victims of ethnic cleansing and mass exodus on a permanent basis.
Virender Raina,
Official Spokesperson