Bahu Fort Development Committee (BFDC) deputation comprising of President Kr. Rajeev Charak, Chairman Baldev Raj Nagotra, Spokesman Advocate Ishant Gupta, General Secretary Raghav Mahajan, Vice President Ishant Mahajan, and Legal Advisor Advocate Varun Gupta calls on Advisor to Lt. Governor Farooq Khan and apprised him for the constitution of Shrine Board for Bawe Wali Mata Temple Bahu Fort and submitted him a memorandum along with documentation of positive comments from various departments for the constitution of board.
Advisor Farooq Khan heard the deputation very patiently and gave full assurance that he will definitely going to take up the matter very seriously with Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu for the early redress of the genuine demand in the wider interest of public.
Kr. Rajeev Charak President while briefing said that the historic shrine of Shri Mata Maha Kali Bahu Fort Jammu which is popularly known as Bawe Wali Mata Temple is situated at on a hillock overlooking the city of Jammu and worshipped as the kuldevi of Jammu. He said that the temple is maintained since hundred years ago by one family who has done nothing since years ago in the name of development which results into great hardships for yatris and residents of the area. He added that the shrine is lacked with parking facility, sarai, passenger shed, cleanliness, hassle free darshan etc. He said that despite the site have been declared as protected monument by archaeology department but still there is reportedly haphazard erection of structures inside and around the temple leading to further mismanagement. He said that the Shrine is visited with number of pilgrims which has been growing year by year with Jammu fast becoming an independent tourist destination but there is no proper maintenance of account of offerings made and utilized which resulted into lack of development and utilization of funds for charitable purpose and also during Navratras District Administration have to make arrangements by pooling the resources of all departments. Charak said that the constitution of Shrine Board will provide the much needed platform facilitating holistic efforts in a transparent and professional manner. He said that the constitution of Board will provide facilities for the proper performance of worship by the pilgrims, it will also safe guard the historic monument and its properties like jewellery, ponds etc, it also make arrangements for preservation of funds and its proper utilization, it will also make arrangements for the constitution of accommodation building for pilgrims, sanitation and over all development.
Advocate Ishant Gupta express concern over the downfall being faced by the business community of Jammu whether we talk about traders, taxi operators, hotel community or anyone else due to a direct train towards Katra, the pilgrims from outside J&K go directly there despite of being plan to stay at Jammu for few days and in that case the Constitution Of Board is very important as per tourism point of view.
Baldev Raj Nagotra said that we are demanding and fighting for the cause since 1997 and receives tremendous response from general public. He said we organized dharnas, whisper campaigns, signature campaigns, door to door campaigns and much more in order to create awareness among masses.
Raghav Mahajan appeals the General Public to come forward and support this noble cause. He also appeals all the media fraternity of Jammu to highlight this cause at large scale so that it will create awareness among masses.
Ishant Mahajan thanked Advisor for sparing his valuable time for them and given patience hearing towards their genuine demand.
Advocate Varun Gupta said that if the Board is constituted, the development will definitely take place and also there will be proper management because Section 18 of The J&K Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988 talks about Duties of the Board which includes safe custody of funds and valuables and also about the construction of accommodation, sanitation etc.