Kashmir has set some fresh examples of how ‘State’ and the religion could work together for the common good.
For close to two decades, a vital road project connecting Srinagar with north Kashmir was in limbo as ‘religion came in the way’. By on December 12, the Gurdwara started making way for construction of the national highway after successful talks between the gurdwara management and Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary
In a widely-praised gesture from the Sikh community, Gurdwara Damdama Sahib, established in 1947 and located along the Srinagar-Baramulla road, is going to be shifted for the construction of a national highway following an understanding on Thursday between the gurdwara management and the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.
In an exemplary act, the Muslim community has agreed to the demolition of a 40-year-old mosque to allow the completion of a long-awaited bridge over Jhelum river.
They said the project has been pending since 2002 due to some bottlenecks including the presence of the mosque and some residential and commercial structures.
The demolition of the mosque began on Saturday, 24 hours after the signing of an agreement between Srinagar District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and the Managing Committee of Masjid Abu Turab at Qamarwari’s Rampora area.
The agreement reached between the government and the mosque management includes among others an offer from the district administration to bear all cost of the reconstruction of the mosque and its completion within 12 months, the officials said.
Mr. Choudhary said alongside construction of the said bridge, the district administration would undertake flood protection and beautification works along Jhelum and repair adjacent roads and install smart lighting in the area.
It is praiseworthy move both at part of Sikh and Muslim community and setting a new example of communal harmony.
