National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today lauded people’s unflinching commitment to secular ethos, saying this is the motivating force for them to maintain distance from elements inimical to peace and harmony. Interacting with devotees at Kole Kandoli Temple here, on the occasion of the reopening of worship places after five months closure due to COVID protocol, Rana said that respect for each others’ faith has been the high point of Jammu and Kashmir’s glorious ethos that has made the place unique across the country. The historic Kole Kandoli Temple is the first spiritual destination on ancient route to highly revered and hugely thronged Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine on Trikuta Hills, which has also reopened for the devotees. “The uniqueness of communal amity is not only to be preserved but sustained by foiling the negative forces who remain agile to disturb the peace and harmony”, Rana said, hoping that the divisive machinations won’t distract people from their chosen path of inclusiveness, which is way of life in this part of the country. He referred to the role played by people of Jammu three decades ago by embracing those in distress due to disturbed conditions in the Valley irrespective of their religious affiliations. The suffering people made Jammu their second home during most testing and stressful times. It was possible only because of Jammuties firm belief in togetherness, compassion and love for humanity, he added. Rana greeted the people on reopening of religious places and prayed for an end to the pandemic which has altogether changed the way of life. He, however, urged the devotees to adhere to the preventive protocol for fighting the virus. He also prayed for the wellbeing of Corona warriors who are engaged in decisive battle against the pandemic. He hoped the situation would ease out and life would become normal again. Rana paid obeisance at the temple and prayed for peace, progress, prosperity, and tranquility in the country as also in Jammu and Kashmir. He performed Pujas in spiritual ambience amid recitation of Mantras and Bhaints of The Mata Rani. Later, the Provincial President also visited Ragoora Mosque in the Nagrota Assembly Constituency and interacted with the people. He condemned the recent unpleasant incident, which has hurt the religious sentiments of a community and said such indecent discourse has no place in a civilized society. Rana appreciated swift and prompt police action in lodging the FIR and booking the accused, hoping that the guilty will be brought to book. He said such acts, aimed at hurting the religious sentiments of others are unacceptable to the vast majority of people. This, he said, is clear from the widespread condemnation by all sections of society. Rana said Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful vase of colourful flowers and this beauty cannot be trampled by such provocative attempts. He said the people have freedom to practice their religion and nobody has a right to interfere. “We will fight all attempts of creating wedge between different segments of society”, Rana said while exhorting the people to stand up unitedly against the elements who are trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere. He said communal amity is core of Jammu’s glorious ethos, which shall be preserved at all costs. Rana made a passionate appeal to people for maintaining peace, harmony and communal amity.
