| Amarnath Board slammed for petty political, separatism gains | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 5: Amarnath Shrine Board, which has rightly extended the duration of yatra to 55-day, is being slammed unrightfully from all quarters.
While the separatists have critcised the decision of the Board for the extension of the yatra and had called for the meeting to discuss this decision, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had also made a veiled attack on the very purpose of constitution of the Board.
PDP spokesperson Dr Sameer Kaul, who had treated many separatists leader, had said that Kashmiri Pandits should be given charge of the yatra.
It's attempt to liquidate in the name of Kashmiriyat, which has dangerous implications.
The Board was constituted to look after the management in a professional manner, without pressure or intervention of the political parties or separatists. It had made some tangible progress as its actions are being even observed by the Supreme Court.
Kashmiri Pandits, which was also a miniscule population in Kashmir, didn't have any role in the yatra even during Maharaja's rule. The yatra was conducted by Dharmarth Trust, which was under the direct control of the Maharaja, and whose president and other important officers were mainly from Jammu.
So historically, it's the people of the Jammu who had contributed to the yatra and it's for their faith in the yatra, that the region erupted in the wake of the 2008 land agitation.
The logic of Dr Sameer Kaul if extended to other Board could spell down to the Jammu region. By the logic of Dr Kaul, then the Vaishno Devi yatra, should also be liquidated and the rights be given to Baridars.
If this is to happen, then the yatra, which had crossed over one-crore mark, will come down considerably as Baridars wouldn't be able to conduct the yatra in a manner the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is doing.
The Board was constituted by then Governor Jagmohan because of filth and pathetic hygienic condition at the one of the most revered Shrine.
The then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah did try to dismantle the Board but couldn't succeed.
Then by the logic of PDP spokesperson, the trust of Triputi, the richest religious board, should also be dismantled.
PDP is attempting to do what Dr Farooq Abdullah couldn't do. Both Kashmir based parties are doing it for the political purpose, to appease a hardliner section, but any support to such a move would evoke strong reaction, and both parties understand it better. |
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