Curb pan-Islamic fundamentalism in J-K: Panun Kashmir

JAMMU: Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today urged the Centre to "revise" its policy structure for Jammu and Kashmir to put an end to "growing influence" of "religious extremism" in the Valley.

"Panun Kashmir urges the government of India to recast its entire policy structure for Jammu and Kashmir in case it is really serious about putting an end and reversing the process of fundamentalism of the social milieu in Kashmir and parts of Jammu," said Agnishekhar, the convener of Panun Kashmir.

He alleged that the active denial by the successive governments in the state and the Centre about the genocide of the Kashmiri Hindus has been the most decisive encouragement for the spread of "Pan Islamic fundamentalism" in the state.

"If the governments meant to protect and uphold the fundamental rights of its people it must identify the agents of destruction," he said.

He also accused the government of failing to show seriousness in controlling the growing influence of religious fundamentalism in the state.

"The challenge posed by the pan Islamic Jihad which has ravaged the entire state and is fast spreading into the rest of the country cannot be curbed without showing seriousness," he said.

Agnishekhar said that it was high time that the Centre should face the stark reality that the Islamic fundamentalism in the state was not happening through some medieval looking Madrassas but through an elaborate modern infrastructure of schools, colleges and Universities equipped with laboratories and libraries.

The Centre must realize the danger the religious fundamentalism posses to the sovereignty and security of the country and must take measures to "curb" it before it starts spreading its tentacle, he added.