Amarnath Shrine Board Politicized

Alleging blatant politicisation of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), BJP National Executive Member and State Chief Spokesperson Dr. Jitendra Singh has accused the SASB of having surrendered its autonomous character to serve the political interests of NC led Government. He held out a strong word of caution against misguided decision to curtail the duration of Amarnath Yatra to just 39 days this year and demanded reconstitution of Shrine Board with new members selected strictly on basis of stipulated criteria.

Dr. Jitendra expressed surprise that even though the SASB is officially not under control of political administration with Governor as its chairman, over the last few years there is a systemic design to tamper with the conduct of Amarnath Yatra with the ulterior motive to appease the separatists for the benefit of Kashmir-centric so-called mainstream political parties including NC.

Dr. Singh warned against playing with the religious sentiments of people at the risk of disturbing peace in the region and said political parties which accuse BJP of divisive politics are infact themselves dividing the society in the name of religion. He said even on merit, there is no rationale for curtailment of the Yatra period. On the other hand, he said, the limited period of Yatra will pose the logistic problem of handling more than two thousand pilgrims every day.

Strongly advocating the opening of Amarnath Yatra for throughout the year like other religious yatras across the country, Dr. Singh cited scientific evidence from geologists that May to September is suitable weather for Amarnath Yatra while in case of bad weather during other parts of year, there can be provision for appropriate weather forecasts and the yatra can also be temporarily suspended.

Quoting mythological references, Dr. Singh said the period between Jyeshatha Purnima and Raksha Bandhan is auspicious for Charri Mubarak and for the rest of year there is no bar to undertake a trek across the route.

Instead of tempering with the Yatra period every year and kicking up a conflict situation, He suggested that the SASB under Governor would do well to concentrate on improving the Yatra arrangements with timely snow clearing of both the routes and adequate medical aid at base camp as well as enroute.

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