Army shelves plan to renovate mosques, shrines in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 4 (UNI) The Army in Jammu and Kashmir today decided to shelve its plan to reconstruct and renovate mosques and shrines in the state under 'Operation Sadhbhavna' (Goodwill) in the wake of a 'fatwa (decree)' issued by a top Muslim cleric, calling upon the Muslims to resist the move ''tooth and nail''.

The plan had triggered a religious controversy in Jammu and Kashmir with the top Muslims clerics threatening mass agitation if the Army did not immediately abandon the campaign.

''We will not undertake anything, which hurts the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Whatever has been done by the Army was in good faith and on the request of the locals,'' XV Corps General Officer-in-Commanding (GOC) Lt Gen A S Sekhon told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Ganderbal, about 25 km from here.

He said the Army was a secular organisation and the campaign was aimed at winning the ''hearts and minds'' of the people.

''We are secular and apolitical. We have no hidden agenda and got people from all faiths. We have full respect for all faith. It has never been our intention to interfere in the religious affairs of the people of the state,'' Gen Sekhon added.

However, he said the Army's primary duty was to safeguard the borders and ensure security of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

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