STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Shiv Sena Hindustan (SSH) on Wednesday threatened to launch a Statewide agitation to protest against the curtailment of Amarnath Yatra duration from 60 to 40 days and demanded the resignation of Governor N.N Vohra as Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
Addressing media persons here, National Vice President and State President SSH, Rajesh Kesri said that the Board has no locus-standi in selection of duration of Yatra and its date should be left to Dharmachariyas.
He said that the religious Shrines are for promotion of peace, tranquility and brotherhood and not disputes among the communities.
It is unfortunate that the Holy Amarnath Yatra is always becoming center of controversy, which should be averted and the government should concede the genuine demand of the devotees.
Kesri demanded that first Poojan of Yatra should be held on Poornima at Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath.
“This is old tradition which is being followed since many centuries”, he added.
He further said, “All the vehicles carrying food material for Langars or carrying pilgrims should be exempted from toll tax. Pilgrims should be given subsidy in railway and air fares like Hajj pilgrims. Security should be given to workers of Langars at Pahalgam and at Baltal and at other places where Langars are organised”.
He further stressed for immediate repair of toilets at Yatri Niwas Base Camp and blacktopping of National Highway from Lakhanpur to Baltal before the commencement of the Yatra.
Kesri also stated that the Toll Tax and the Entry Tax for the Amarnath Yatris should be exempted by the State Government in the shape of subsidy to the Yatris and he made an appeal to law makers to enact an Act in this regard.
He further stated that for the first time there is a BJP -PDP Government in the State so collective efforts must be made by the MLAs and MPs so that subsidy is given to the Amarnath Yatris. To achieve their agenda the terrorists have always tried to stop the Hindus form coming to Valley and made the Amarnath Yatra their target various times in past. But the fear of death cannot stop the Yatris from visiting the Holy Shrine and their number increased day by day, he added.
Kesri further said that duration of Yatra was 60 days upto 2009 and the terrorists had earlier warned the government to limit the Yatra duration upto one month. It was only after this threat that the Yatra was reduced to 55 days in 2010, he added. He said when the Hindu society made a strong protest the Board assured that the Yatra would be of 60 days in 2011. But surprisingly it was reduced to 45 days without making any consultation with the representatives of Hindu society.
Though Hindu society raised a protest it was again assured that the Yatra would be 60 days and an announcement was made by Sri Sri Ravi Shanker Ji Maharaj in this regard. But now the government has again reduced the Yatra duration to 40 days.
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 and living up to the expectations of Kashmiriyat.”We hope that the Governor will reconsider the decision and people in Kashmir will fully support and welcome Yatris to make the Yatra the most successful one this year,” he said.
