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| Despite Vohra’s best foot forward, Yatra not smooth affair yet | | |
SANDEEP BHAT
Within a week after he handed over power to the elected government on the eve of New Year, the Governor NN Vohra, the one-man combater of summer 2008 agitation’ has been making all efforts to make the annual Amarnath pilgrimage a hassle free exercise. Not only this, the Governor has also been seen taking exemplary and innovative steps by addressing the environmental concerns and trying to take all sections on board but things are not quite smooth as the yatra calendar draws near –The Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti –which spearheaded agitation last year –is apparently regrouping to oppose some of the moves of shrine board.
The first visible bad omen has come in shape of yet another deferment of the scheduled meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Shrine Board. This committee was constituted to advise the board on various affairs but inclusion of four Muslim members from Kashmir has become a bone of contention. The rejuvenated SAYSS has told the Jammu based members of advisory committee to boycott meeting. The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, BB Vyas told Early Times over phone from Srinagar that fresh date of meeting will be fixed after last phase of Lok Sabha elections.
Talking to Early Times Leela Karan Sharma, ex-convenor SAYSS and BJP candidate for Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency said that including of four Kashmiri Muslims in advisory committee of SASB is directly interference in the religious affairs of Hindus and people are not going to tolerate it. He maintained that their (government’s) intentions are not clear, “and they are hell bent to sabotage the annual Amarnath Yatra as they did it last year”. He has asked all those people in Jammu including president, chamber of commerce and industry to dissociate them from attending meeting with SASB which has been now deferred. He further said that if the names of Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo, Lateef Ahmed Bhat, Jabar Malik and Mubeen Shah in the said advisory committee are not removed, the day is not far away, when people of Jammu will come to streets to seek justice. This is a step in aid to include Muslims in the shrine board sooner or later and the evil has to be nipped in bud, and added that governor should not force the people to take agitation path and should immediately reconstitute the advisory committee.
Ram Sahai, president, chamber of commerce and industry, said that it is really a matter of concern and will discuss in the scheduled meeting with SASB. We all are for smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra and there should be no interference in the religious affairs of any community. There are reports that the period of Amarnath Yatra will be curtailed by15 days which will be opposed with tooth and nail, he said. If the people, who have been included in advisory committee of SASB will not interfere in religious matter of Hindu community, as a trading community we will have no problem. There should be smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra this year and last years episode should not be repeated, he added.
Rajesh Gupta president of Association of Jammu Travel Agents, who also is a member of advisory committee, said on phone from Srinagar, that he has yet not decided, whether to participate in meeting with SASB (Shri Amarnath Shrine Board,). He further said that he fully endorses the stand taken by SAYSS (Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti) on inclusion of four muslim members in advisory Committee of SASB and added that on should respect sentiments of other religion. This will set a wrong precedent and the SAYSS apprehension may become true in the coming time.
Mubeen Shah, president, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and industry, said that
we welcome this move of governor and the main issue is related to economy. As a member will give suggestion on economic, ecology and environment side of Amarnath Yatra and added there will be no interference in religious matters.
He maintained that like Vaishno Devi yatra, except religious duties other has been left to private sector for accommodation, shelter, food, likewise in Amarnath yatra also, private sector should be involved so that local people will be benefited. He also welcomed the statement of president, Hotel Association of Jammu on Amarnath yatra and offer full support for smooth conduct of Amaranth Yatra.
B B Vyas Principal Secretary and CEO SASB said that the meeting of SASB with advisory committee which was scheduled to take place tomorrow has been deferred and after the completion of parliamentary elections next date will be issued. He further said that the main reason for deferring the meeting was non availability of officials as they are busy in election duties. It will be possible only after 16th of May to convene a meeting of all officials with SASB and its advisory committee, he added.
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