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| Time for Sri Sri Ravishankar to revisit 2008 | | Controversy Over Yatra | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 6: The devotees of Lord Shiva have been protesting against the Governor N N Vohra-controlled Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for restricting the yatra period to just 39 days, as against 60 days in 2008. They have also been courting arrest in order to persuade the "adamant" authorities not to interfere in the religious affairs of the Hindus but without evoking any positive response either from the Governor, who is the ex-officio chairman of the SASB, and the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister has even gone to the extent of twitting that God is not allowing the devotees of Lord Shiva to pay obeisance at the holy shrine.
As if the negative attitude of the chairman of the SASB and Chief Minister was not enough to outrage those who waited for 12 months to pay obeisance at the holy cave of Baba Amarnath, Sri Sri Ravishankar, who has founded the Art of Living, has added more fuel to the fire by justifying the curtailment in the duration of yatra. He has said that it was because of bad weather and inadequate yatra arrangements that the decision was taken to restrict the yatra period to 39 days. It is this suggestion of Ravishankar that has offended the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and similar other socio-religious organizations. The VHP leadership has warned Ravishankar not to meddle and hold himself aloof from the raging controversy. That the VHP leadership has openly snubbed and warned Sri Sri Ravishankar indicates the extent of its anger. The VHP has not only warned Ravishankar but also threatened a country-wide agitation against the authorities in the SASB.
The authorities need to review their stand on the issue. The best thing for them would be to start yatra forthwith so that the impending conflict between the devotees of Lord Shiva and the authorities is averted. As for Sri Sri Ravishankar, it would be better if he revisits 2008 and act accordingly.
Sri Sri Ravishankar had made common cause with the agitating people of Jammu in 2008, but without offending the opponents of land transfer in Kashmir. He had come all the way from Germany to Jammu on August 11 for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and had met the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) leadership and other prominent citizens to ascertain their views. The very next day, he had met media persons and expressed his views on the whole issue. He had, among other things, said: "People here seem to be deeply hurt over the revocation of land transfer order…and that's why they have been relentlessly carrying forward the agitation for over one month…Centre should act faster and take steps now to stop things going out of proportions…It was not only the issue of land transfer, but some other long-pending grievances of people were also there which forced masses of Jammu to adopt the path of agitation…People have the right to speak and raise their voice, but peacefully and without causing damage to others…(National media) should avoid partiality while covering both the regions…Land allotment to SASB will not change the demography of Kashmir…(The formulation is) illogical. If allotment of land for pilgrimage purpose can change the demography, then the entire country would be endangered". At the same time, he had also blamed politicians for creating trouble in the state for vote bank politics and asked them "not to incite the people" under the garb of religion. He had also said: "Those who created the situation must have understood that people here in Jammu can't be taken for granted". He had obviously referred to the role of Kashmiri leadership. Earlier on August 4, Sri Sri Ravishankar had a telephonic conversation with Governor N.N. Vohra and told him that the revocation of the land transfer order was a "grave mistake".
Sri Sri Ravishankar needs to play the kind of role he played in 2008 at a time when the Amarnath land row was at its peak. He can play an important role, as he is one of the most prominent and respected members of the SASB.
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