Saturday, June 29, 2013

Kashmiriyat : A Carcass of BATTILL



I am writing these quick notes on Kashmiriyat as many people confuse this term with our native Hindu Religion & Culture. They may not be explanatory but a quick response to many friends on Facebook who are getting confused between KASHMIRIYA & ; BATTILL ( Hindu Ethos of Kashmir ) !


" Hyun Myett " A tradition of BATIL 
Kashmiri Pandit culture , cuisine & religious ethos are quite different from Kashmiri Muslims although they still carry some of our traits from their pre-Islamic ancestry which they often confuse the world with WORD Kashmiriyat.  

Many people often reproduce Kashmiriyat ( कश्मीरीयत, کشمیریّتKashmiri-ness)  as an ethno-nationalism & cultural values of the Kashmiri people.( forgetting rest of 80% landmass & its inhabitants  as if they are enslaved to Kashmir )  Emerging around the 16th century, it is characterised by religious and cultural harmony, patriotism and pride for their mountainous homeland of Kashmir


Very first point that for any proselytizing religious philosophy to assimilate in the foreign land , they have to invade in multi directions , create chaotic condition & then set their systematic ways of life. 


Unfortunately ISLAM came into Kashmir with a treachery & then at the same time , the magnanimity of the then  Kashmiri Pandits was back stabbed as they gave refuge to first Muslim settlers of Persia and Central Asia.

First 300 years of Islam in Kashmir saw bloodshed & mayhem which was unknown to the society of Kashmir as such it never ever got the intellectual nod of even the converted Community. It was vomited out at every available time slot in history of Kashmir during its first 300 years. It is noteworthy that Islam tried to  enter Kashmir in its first 150 years but the hordes of Arab armies were defeated by Kashmir Kings in 7th and 8th Century thrice which made them move towards lower parts of Sindh .They failed to follow Alexanders route.

Kashmiri language as such was a burden on Islam. It is noteworthy to see here that was not a single book of ISLAM written in Kashmiri except during the Muslim period prior to 1470 AD. Some religious texts were rendered into Kashmiri for purposes of propagation of Islam but no trace of these manuscripts is found now. Compare it even with Budhist who wrote in Sanskrit , Prakrit and even in Kashmiri some marvelous pieces as  "Miland Panha" and "Brihad Katha".

As per Sh Mahanori in his book GEMS of Kashmiri Literature  "Three stalwarts stand out as the true founders of Kashmiri literature. They are Shitikanth (13th Century), author of Mahanai Prakash "Lal Ded (b. 1335/50) and Nund Reshi (b. 1377). "Banasur Katha," composed around 1446 AD by Avtar Bhatt, is another early specimen of Kashmiri literature, Persian dominated from the beginning Of Mughal rule (1586) right upto the end of the Muslim period, in 1819."

Then what Kashmiriyat  is Muslim Kashmir talking of today ?


Huge number of Libraries were burnt & thrown into water bodies to wash every visible traces of PreIslamic literature. Reference Bahiristan Shahi as translated  by Sh K N Pandita &  Converted Kashmir  (Click here  Anyway I wont dwell into History except for the word KASHMIRIYAT but 


By 16th Century , Delhi was ruled by Akbar & Kashmir by Budshah : Moderate Islam was on its rise and as such a perfect opportunity for ISLAM to get itself accepted into Sufi cult in Kashmirs Intellectualism Ethos and make inroads.  As such the term was introduced into the system. After conversion of 95% of Population , it was a perfect opportunity to call a ceasefire and hence dominate in one way or the other.  It was time to accept the minuscule minority as DIMI like in many other Islamic societies across West and Central Asia.


Religion can change your ways of worshiping but cant entirely finish your culture as it leaves traces. As such muslims even after conversion carried so many traits which were unislamic and related them to native Kashmiri . 

That is when BATTA was identified with BATTIL : one who carried the ways of working as they existed PreIslamic Order and any thing which was still part of new Muslim order would be given a common Intersection Set named as KASHMIRIYAT.  A common ground to sustain the social balance and also make sure that ISLAM isnt considered as blood thirsty religion of first 300 years but gets coexisted with Nativity in kashmir.  New style of Architecture which had Kashmiri traits for even Mosques emerged , Many customs like TAHER ( yellow Rice ) distribution stayed . Must read (  Early kashmiri Society & Challenges of Islam by Dr S S Toshkhani )

But this Wrapper class of Kashmiriyat over original Battil couldnt stay for long as intermittent Muslim rulers introduced so much havoc on the original Kashmiri Ethos that word Musalmaan was more or less echoed as the Rakshas Breed of that time. So many narratives and stories that we used to hear at bed time tells us about the exoduses and return to valley. ( Must Read HISTORY OF KASHMIR PANDITs by Sh Jia lal Kilam )

All the customs that KPs inherit are least influenced by ISLAM : All the practices that we follow today from Hyun Myeth to Tarpan are preIslamic : All the Religious & Social values that we incorporated till Spring of 1990 were pure sanskritized versions that were prevalent pre and post Islamic era.  We only adapted ourselves to changing inhospitable and barbaric condition but never adopted any condition which was against the basic tenants of BATTIL.

One may describe the BATTIL a selective composition of socio , cultural & religious ethos which over the period might have degraded from its original value or might have also evolved from the original context but still hasnt lost the basic tenants and principles .  I request readers to please read  ( Rites and Rituals of Kashmiri Brahmins by Dr S.S. Toshkhani )

One quick rebuttal from a friend on Facebook was that many people think that KP Non vegetarian Cuisine has been gift of ISLAM which is again wrong : ( Please read Cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits by Dr S S Toshkhani )

But post Independence this word received a vocal support from sociopolitical agencies and its so called intellectual society to build in a good connection with Secular fabric of India but alas within 40 years this experimental lab was teared into pieces with Wahabi & NizameMustafa ideology ripping apart the theory of coexistence.

This lab was faulty as it never thought of other parts of Kashmir like Gilgit , Baltistan , ladakh ,Skardu , POK , Greater Jammu and other parts were Non Muslims were either ignored or exterminated post British Colonial and Maharaja Era. Very basic tenant of Kashmiriyat was faulty as Jammu & ladakh were made scape goats too. KPs were reduced to state of Dimihood & finally Exiled in 1990.

So what remained in Kashmir was tormented society under Islamic Imperialism whose some part want to reconnect to previous versions of Kashmiri society using a broken ladder of kashmiriyat which is a subset of our BATTIL that believes in Syezarr , pazzar and Schocchar .

Today to get a leverage at world platform and white wash their misdeeds of 1990 like in 16th Century they are again hopping KASHMIRIYAT bus but alas by now they are exposed beyond recognition.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Kashmir Stock of Temples 1993



List of Temples Destroyed by the Islamic Terrorists

The following is based on a report published in Nav Bharat Times (Feb. 18, 93) New Delhi, the Hindi Daily of the Times of India Group of papers.

According to a report from Home Ministry official, 36 temples were the butt of communal violence In 1986, 8 in 1988, 12 in 1989, 8 in 1990, 5 in 1991, and 24 in 1992. The report carries the names of the temples, their addresses, the mode of attack, date and the extent of damage done. The following is the 1ist of the temples hit by communal violence in J&K on the basis of Home Ministry Report.

YEAR 1986:


SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 20-21

1. Ganpatyar temple, Srinagar - Stoned - Window panes broken.
2. Bhairav temple, Maisuma - Stoned - minor damage
3. Temple in front of Gurudwara at Amiradadal - ransacked - no damage
to the building.
4. Shiv temple, Jawaharnagar - attempted arson - minor damage to a window,
5. Bhairav Mandir, Karan Nagar - attempted arson - Carpet burned, no
damage to the building.
6, Shiv temple near secretariat - attempted arson - minor damage.
7. Shiv Mandir, Chota Bazar-60-70 rioter tried to attack the temple; police
fired four rounds in the air - no damage,
8. Narayan Math Mandir in Tulsi Bagh - attempted arson and stoning -
minor damage to windowpanes and door.

ANANTNAG DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 20 -21

9. Gautam nag mandlr at Sarnal - set on fire - heavy damage; 3 out of four
rooms destroyed.
10. Shivalay Mandir, Nai Basti - heavy stoning, attempt to destroy and
ransack - damage worth Rs. 10,000.
11. Temple at Wanpoh on Khanabal-Qazigund Road - set on fire- extent of
damage not known.
12. Another temple at Vanpoh - set on fire - extent of the damage not known.
13. Temple at Aishmuqam - attempt at ransacking - one idol damaged.
14. Temple at Dhanbogund, Kulgam - set on fire - extent of damage not known.
15. Navgam temple, Shangas - Heavy stoning - extent of damage not known.
16. Achhabal temple near Navgam - Heavy stoning - extent of damage not known.
17-20. Four temples in Lokbhavan village of Thana Qazigund - attempted
ransacking
21. Harish Chandra Seva Mandir, Beejbehara - ransacking - idols destroyed.
22. Devi Mandir, village Karebal Beejbehara - ransacking - Idols damaged.
23. Shivalay Mandir, Janglat Mandi, Anantnag town - ransacking - extent
of damage not known.
24. Temple of Dyalgam - attempt at ransacking - extent of damage not known.
25. Temple at Fatehpura village, Qazigund Tehsil - set on fire - extent of
damage not known.
26. Temple at village Siligam, Thana Aishmuqam - attempt at ransacking.

PULWAMA DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 20-21

27. Shiv Mandir at village Koil, Thana Pulwama - attempted arson.
28. Temple at village Trisal, Thana Pulwama -AttPmpted ransacking -
idols, microphone taken away; compoundwall of the adjacent cremation ground broken.

BARAMULLA DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 20-21

29. Kali Mandir in Jamla Kadal Mohalla, Sopore - attempted arson, local
people foiled the attempt - no damage.
30. Fatapura temple, Sopore - stoning - minor damage.

ANANTNAG DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 24-25
31.Chandi Puiarl temple, VYosu Thana Qazigund) - Arson - damage worth Rs. 20,000.

BADGAM DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 24-25
32. Sharda Devi temple, Yalkot (Thana 8adgam) - attempt to arson - one part burnt.
33.Shiv Temple, Sanghampura - (Thana Biru) - attempt to arson - verandah damaged in arson.
34. Shiv Mandir, Magam (Thana Vodura) - attempt to arson - minor damage.

BARAMULA DISTRICT, FEBRUARY 24-25

35. Temple in Bandipore - arsoned - minor damage.
36. Temple in Bandipore - arsoned - minor damage.

YEAR 1988:
SRINAGAR DISTRICT, AUGUST 15

1. Ram Mandir, Maharajganj, Srinagar - attempt to arson - minor damage.
2. Shiv Mandir, Sarafkadal, Srinagar - stoned - minor damage.

BARAMULLA DISTRICT, AUGUST 18

3. Shiv Mandir, Bandipur - arsoned - Heavy damage.
4. Shri Raghunath Mandir, Barmulla - explosion in Mandir - minor damage.

PULWAMA DISTRICT, AUGUST 21

5. Shiv temple, Shopian - Fully destroyed; heavy damage.
6 . Local tempIe in Tral - Arsoned - Heavy damage.

ANANTAG DISTRICT, AUGUST 19

7. Devi Mandir, Anantnag - arsoned - minor damage.

DODA DISTRICT, OCT0BER 27

8. Basaknag mandir, Bhadrawah - arsoned - minor damage.

YEAR 1989:

SRINAGAR DISTRICT (MARCH 24 TO NOV. 2)

1. Shri Ram mandir's Hall, Barbarshah Srinagar - explosion - minor damage.
2. Shiv Mandir Chota Bazar, Srinagar, Fully damaged.
3. Shri Raghunath Mandir, Srinagar - attempt to arson - minor damaqe.
4. Building of Ramkrishna Ashram, Chota Bazar, Srinagar-arsoned-minor damage.

PULWAMA DISTRICT, OCTOBER 3

5. Suchcha Nath Mandir, Shopian - arsoned - heavy damage.

BADGAM DISTRICT, OCTOBER 21

6. Shri Ram Mandir, Badgam - destroyed; idols looted - heavy damage.
7. Rama Mandir, Udhampur - heavy damage.

DODA DISTRICT
8. Supernag Temple - Idols looted and temple burnt.
9. Siv Mandir Kiratwar - explosion on 2nd Nov. - minor damage.
10. Buichhal Mandir - explosion on 10th Nov. - heavy damage.
11. Temple in Kulharad village - arsoned on 12th Nov. - heavy damage.
12 Temple in Bharat village - arsoned on 12th Nov. - heavy damage.

YEAR 1990:
SRINAGAR DISTRICT
1. Arya Samaj Mandir and School, Srinagar - explosion an 10th Feb. Minor damage
2. Shri Raghunath Mandir, Srinagar - attempted arson on 24th Feb., minor damage.
3. Arya Samaj Mandir and School Wazir Bagh, Srinagar - explosion on 21st July - heavy damage.
4. Shri Ram Mandir, Babarshah Srinagar - Conference Hall attacked with rocket on 2nd Sept . - minor damage .
5. Shitalnath Mandir, Srinagar - arsoned on 18th Nov. - heavy damage.

ANANTNAG DISTRICT
6. Lakshmi Mandir, Bijbehara - arsoned on 4th August - Heavy damage.

BARAMULLA DISTRICT
7. Sharda Mandir, Kalusa, 8andipur-arsoned on 7th Nov.- Heavy damage.

KUPWARA DISTRICT
8. Handura Mandir - Precincts desecrated and idols stolen on 13th Nov. -
heavy loss in the form of disappearance of idols.

YEAR 1991:
ANANTNAG DISTRICT
1. Nagbal Mandir, Anantnag - Explosion - Minor damage
2-3. Shri Raghunath Mandir, Anantnag - Explosion, Grenade thrown - minor damage

SRINAGAR DISTRICT, APRIL 13
4-5. Shri Raghunath Mandir, Srinagar - seven houses of Hindus and two temples arsoned - minor damage.

YEAR 1992:
All arsoned; and minor damages:
1. Raghunath Mandir, Karafali Mohalla, Srinagar - 8 May.
2. Anantnag - 7 December
3. Srinagar - 7 December
4. Kulgam, Anantnag - 7-8 December.
5. Shiv Mandir, Sherpore Kund - 7-8 December.
6. Temple at Karichhama - Tang Marg, Baramulla - 7-8 December.
7. Temple in Baramulla on Kungar Tang Road - 7-8 December.
8. Shri Vishnu Temple, on the Bank of River Jhelum 7-8 December.
9. Kuvi Utraso Temple Anantnag - 7-8 December.
10. Temple of Chitergund, Anantnag - 7-8 December.
11. Temple of Bana Mohalla, Srinagar -7-8 December.
12. Karfali Mohalla, Srinagar -7-8 December
13. Samshan Bhoomi Temple, Karannagar, Srinagar - 7-8 December
14. Narsingh Bagh - Shadipur Temple, Ganderbal, Srinagar - 7-8 December.
15. Nandkishore Temple, Sumbal, Baramulla - 7-8 December.
16. Temple of Pahalgam, Anantnag - 7-8 December.
17-22. Verinag, Anantnag - 8 December.
23. Temple in Tragaon, Kupwara -9 December.
24. Temple in Pattan, Baramulla - 9 December.

#Atrocities in #Kashmir #Destruction of #Temples