| 1. Author interviewed by the Kashmir Images, Kashmir's first and only multi-edition daily English newspaper: 3 May 2008 |
| 2. Letter to Indian Prime Minister From U.S. Congressman on Kashmiri Pandits : 17 January 2008 |
| 3. News from U.S. Congress (Senate) : 18 June 2007 |
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News from the U.S. Congress
- 110th Congress 1st Session S. Con. Res. 38
- In the Senate of the United States - 18 June 2007
- Concurrent Resolution
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| a. NEWS FROM THE U.S. CONGRESS : |
| A concurrent resolution in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio recognizing the plight of Kashmiri Pandits has been an ongoing concern since 1989 and that their physical, political, and economic security should be safeguarded by the Government of the Republic of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir. |
| b. 110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 38 : |
| Recognizing that the plight of Kashmiri Pandits has been an ongoing concern since 1989 and that their physical, political, and economic security should be safeguarded by the Government of the Republic of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir. |
| c. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
- 18 June 2007 : |
| Mr. BROWN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations |
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| d. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION : |
Recognizing that the plight of Kashmiri Pandits has been an ongoing concern since 1989 and that their physical, political, and economic security should be safeguarded by the Government of the Republic of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Whereas Jammu and Kashmir has an ancient culture of religious tolerance and pluralism, and Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians were able to practice their faith in an atmosphere of mutual respect and peace until 1989;
Whereas Kashmiri Pandits are the original inhabitants of Kashmir, tracing their heritage and culture back several millennia;
Whereas Kashmiri Pandits have been the victims of a sustained ethnic cleansing campaign initiated in 1989 by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, which forced a mass exodus of Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom now live in Indian refugee camps;
Whereas the Kashmiri Pandit population has declined from 400,000 in 1989 to a current level of only 8,000;
Whereas international human rights organizations have failed to accurately report the campaign of intimidation and violence directed against Kashmiri Pandits;
Whereas hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit civilians, elected officials, and military personnel have been killed in terrorist attacks; and
Whereas Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba, which are Pakistan-based terrorist groups and have been designated by the Department of State as foreign terrorist organizations, are seeking to drive out Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir and fight the security forces of the Government of the Republic of India: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress--
- condemns the human rights violations committed against Kashmiri Pandits;
- urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism by dismantling the infrastructure for terrorist activities in territory under its control, so that all Kashmiris can live, work, and worship in peace; and
- encourages the Government of the Republic of India and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that Kashmiri Pandits are treated with respect and dignity and are able to safely return to Kashmir.
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| Sharda Temple |
| The Sharda Peeth (or the seat of Sharada, the goddess of learning) refers to the Sharda University built at the confluence of Kishenganga and Vitasta rivers (now called Neelam and Jhelum rivers, respectively) by King Kanishka (74 A.D – 144 A.D.). The temple located about 150 kilometers from Muzaffarabad was most likely built by King Avantivarman (855 A.D. – 883 A.D.), since the earliest images of the temple appear on coins of the Utpala Kings. Famed Persian traveler al-Biruni visited Sharda Peeth in the 11th century and noted the importance of the Sharda temple to Hindus, calling it as important important as the Somnath Temple near Veraval in Gujarat. |
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