By: Peerzada Sayeed
New Delhi: Balidan Divas, commemorating the massacred residents of Mirpur in November 1947, was solemnly observed today at Mirpur Balidan Bhawan in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. The event, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum (JKPF), witnessed the participation of hundreds of refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).
Floral tributes were offered at the samadhi within the Bhawan, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the 1947 tragedy. The event brought together notable personalities, including Sh. Sunil Sethi (Senior Advocate), Sh. Arvind Gupta (MLA), Retd. Justice Anil Dev Gupta, Retd. Registrar General Bharat Bhushan, Retd. Justice Vidya Bhushan Gupta (Delhi High Court), and Mahinder Mehta, Convenor of JKPF.
During the occasion, Sh. Ravinder Pandita, newly elected president of the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), was felicitated for his contributions to the community.
The speakers highlighted the importance of preserving Mirpuri culture and the mother tongue, emphasizing their role in keeping the community’s heritage and identity alive. They also paid homage to the sacrifices of those who lost their lives during the tragic events of November 1947.
The observance served as a reminder of the resilience of the Mirpur refugee community and their continued efforts to honor their history and cultural legacy.
