Amarnath Yatra is a military project,says Geelani,calls bandh

This is for the first time since the 2008 Amarnath land row agitation that the separatists have vehemently spoken against what they call the sudden increase in the number of Amarnath pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine in the mountains of south Kashmir. The separatist tirade has come after the apex court directed the government to construct a road to the cave shrine and create infrastructure for the pilgrims.

Geelani said that the number of Amarnath pilgrims to the valley has increased under a definite plan from the government. “People from across India are advised to visit Kashmir (for the yatra),” he said. “(This is done) so that Kashmiris are intimidated and given to believe that India is not going to leave them.”

Geelani based his arguments on an article published on the website of Press Information Bureau in 2008. “The urge to salvation will attract the devotees towards the challenging heights of Kashmir. Because this would also be an act of solidarity with our brave soldiers who are at war with the enemy to guard our border,” Geelani quoted the article. The Hurriyat leader also quoted from A G Noorani’s article that terms the yatra as “communal aggression devoid of any religious piety”.

The Hurriyat hardliner said that the yatra has been politicised by the Indian government. “Earlier it was just a religious ritual,” the Hurriyat chief said. “But now,in the name of yatra,India is doing politics.”

Terming the increase in the number of Amarnath pilgrims as a question of survival,Geelani said that Amarnath Shrine Board has been given immense powers. “The Board that has been set-up to facilitate the yatra has been given such powers that it acts as a state within the state,” he said. “Shrine Board works like East India Company. Its entire staff is from outside.”