Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Amarnath Yatra Politics

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today alleged that the Centre and the State Governments are ‘intentionally politicising’ the Amarnath Yatra by creating unwanted ‘controversies’ ahead of the pilgrimage.

"Continuously for the past few years, Amarnath Yatra is being ‘politicised’ under a well planned move initiated not only by the State but also by the Central Government", Dr Jitendra Singh, BJP State chief spokesperson and National Executive Member told reporters at a press conference here this afternoon.

Dr Singh’s statement came in the wake of Government’s decision of curtailing the period of Amarnath Yatra by 15 days.

"The move is yet another ploy to appease the Kashmiri separatists", Dr Singh said, adding, "the date of yatra commencement had been postponed to June 29 from June 15 because of unsuitable weather conditions and it is not a genuine reason to curtail the yatra period’’.

From the point of religious faith, the BJP leader said, "As per the time honoured tradition, the yatra must start on the day of ‘Jyeshth Purnima’, which falls on June 13 and therefore the sanctity of the yatra is liable to be eroded if the holy dates are tampered with".

Dr Singh advised Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) not to become a tool for ‘politicking’ in the hands of the Government and also suggested that the conglomerate organization of ‘Baba Amaranath and Baba Buddha Amarnath Yatra Niyas’, should be taken into confidence before taking any final decision.

He said that if the authorities were sincere, instead of interfering with the schedule date of yatra, they would have endeavoured to employ and engage latest scientific methods to ensure friendly conduct of yatra in the event of weather uncertainties if any.

He warned the state administration and the Shrine Board against provoking the sentiments of people by fiddling with matters of faith.

BJP general secretary Sat Sharma (CA) and press secretary Balbir Ram were also present in the press conference.


The VHP today threatened to launch country-wide agitation over decision of Governor, N N Vohra who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to curtail the holy Amarnath yatra by a period of 15 days and asked him to reconsider his decision.

"We warn the Governor to immediately change his decision of curtailment in the Amarnath yatra period by 15 days and make an announcement of holding full 2-month long yatra as per the traditional and religious calendar", VHP State President, Dr Ramakant Dubey told reporters here today.

He said that the Governor had succumbed to the pressure of the separatist forces and elements inimical to the peace and therefore curtailed the yatra by 15 days and violated the religious calendar of the yatra.

"If the decision to curtail yatra was not reversed in J&K, VHP along with its sister organizations will launch agitation of protests and demonstrations across the country to put pressure on the Governor and mobilize the public opinion", Dubey said.

It may be recalled that SASB headed by the Governor as its Chairman had announced that the yatra will commence from June 29 instead of its commencement timing as per the religious calendar of Jyeshta Purnima which falls on June 15.

Lashing out at separatists for oppositing the yatra, the VHP state President said that no Kashmiriyat existed in Kashmir and it was just a tool of propaganda.

"Kashmiriyat believes in peace and religious co-existence and brotherhood, but anti-peace elements and separatists have forgotten it and have been opposing the yatra", he added.

Terming Amarnath yatris as messengers of peace and brotherhood, he advised the separatists and anti-peace brigade to help the yatra to be conducted successfully by welcoming pilgrims.

"We hope that the Governor will reconsider the decision and people in Kashmir will fully support and welcome yatris to make the event as the most successful one this year," he said.

Governor CM greet people on Khirbhawani Mela
Governor pays obeisance at Zeshta Devi Temple
BABAYN to commence yatra on June 14

No comments:

Post a Comment