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Kabir's followers allege persecution in Jammu and Kashmir

Even as the nation celebrates the 600th birth anniversary of Sant Kabir, his followers have alleged persecution by "cultural terrorists" in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded intervention by President K R Narayanan.

Representatives of the Sant Kabir Smriti Sansthan told reporters here that the Kabir Panthis (the followers for Kabir) were attacked and beaten up and their Kabir sakhis (couplets) were allegedly burnt by "cultural terrorists" backed by the Sangh Parivar and a minister of the ruling National Conference. The incident allegedly occurred last September in the terrorist-infested Akhnoor and Khour areas of the Jammu region.

The representatives however, were evasive when asked why had they had chosen to wait so long before bringing the matter out in the open. They also said they had not met state chief minister Farooq Abdullah in this regard so far.

Meanwhile, a Congress statement, issued by party spokesman Ajit Jogi, said 15 Kabir ashrams were "attacked and set on fire" in Jammu province alone. On September 15, 1988, about 5000 members of the Sangh Parivar took out a procession and tried to install an idol of Lord Ram in the Kabir ashram at Akhnoor, the statement alleged.

The Congress, as well as representatives of the Kabir Smriti Sansthan, accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of "succumbing to political pressure", clamping prohibitory orders under section 144 and restricting the movement of the chief of Kabir's followers and blocking their religious congregations.

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