Amarnath Yatra Cut: VHP Warns of Nation-Wide Protests

The VHP today threatened to launch country-wide agitation over Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra’s decision to curtail the Amarnath yatra by a period of 15 days and asked him to reconsider his decision.

“We warn the Governor to immediately change his decision of curtailment in the Amarnath yatra period by 15 days and make an announcement of holding full 2-month long period yatra as per the traditional and religious calendar”, VHP State President Dr Ramakant Dubey told reporters here today.

He said that the Governor had succumbed to the pressure of the separatist forces and elements inimical to peace and had therefore curtailed the yatra by 15 days and violated the religious calendar of the yatra.

“If the decision to curtail yatra was not reversed in J&K, VHP along with its sister organizations will launch agitation of protests and demonstrations across the country to put pressure on the Governor and mobilize the public opinion”, Dubey said.

It may be recalled that Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) headed by the Governor as its Chairman had announced that the yatra will commence from June 29 instead of its commencement timing as per the religious calendar of Jaishta Purnima which falls on June 15.

Lashing out at separatists for opposing the yatra, the VHP state President said that no Kashmiriyat existed in Kashmir and it was just a tool of propaganda.

“Kashmiriyat believes in peace and religious co-existence and brotherhood, but anti-peace elements and separatists have forgotten it and have been opposing the yatra”, he said.

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.

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