Save Sharda Committee hails reopening of Shival Temple in Sialkot, writes to Pak PM Imran for reopening of Sharda Peeth

Srinagar: Save Sharda Committee Kashmir (Regd.) has welcomed and hailed the decision of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan for reopening Shivala Temple in Kashmiri Mohalla in Sialkot, Pakistan recently. The temple was reopened for the first time after 72 years. In a letter addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the committee has demanded that Sharda Peeth across loC should also be reopened for J&K Hindus immediately. Speculations on reopening of Sharda peeth after announcement of opening of Kartarpur corridor are ripe and Save Sharda committee is constantly pursuing the issue and watching the developments, particularly in the wake of recent visit of Pakistan Hindu Council led by Dr. Ramesh Vankwani, MNA.
Sources close to Sh. Ravinder Pandita, who is leading the movement have indicated that initially Pakistani Hindus from various provinces will be allowed to take pilgrimages followed by Kashmiri hindus in next phase. Save sharda committee has hailed the decision of allowing hindus to the Peeth for the first time in last 72 years. Meanwhile Save Sharda committee has received a reply from MEA that it is Pakistan Govt. who has not concurred the proposal of reopening of Sharda peeth. The committee got the issue raised in Rajya Sabha also on 20th December’2018 vide Q. No: 1128 for similar reply. “ We are not clear why Pakistan has not concurred India’s proposal for religious tourism and visit to Sharda Peeth, as we have again received a communiqué from Ministry of external affairs regarding the same’ said Ravinder Pandita, Head of Save Sharda committee Kashmir Regd. The committee has come into prominence after getting flowers laid at Sharda Peeth in Pak Administered Kashmir PaK , the highest peeth of Shankracharya followers in 2006. Later in March’ 2007 through the civil society of PaK a photo of Sharda Mai was installed there in the temple and in January this year, the committee secured a landmark judgement on the preservation of Sharda Peeth by Supreme court of PaK and another order on preservation of sanctity of the peeth vide order No: 9973-80 dated 31.12.2018 received from DG Archeology & Tourism PaK.