No decision yet on calling off Amarnath Yatra amid calls for cancellation
The pilgrimage, which was called off last year, is scheduled from June 28 to August 22. Political and religious gatherings have been cited among the reasons for the worst surge of Covid-19 infections that India faces
The governing body of the annual 56-day Amarnath pilgrimage to the cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas may have last week temporarily suspended the registration of pilgrims in views of a surge in the Covid-19 cases, but it is yet to take a decision on cancelling it, officials said on Wednesday.
There have been calls for calling off or curtailing the pilgrimage, which was cancelled last year, and is scheduled from June 28 to August 22. Political and religious gatherings have been cited among the reasons for the worst surge of Covid-19 infections that India faces. The second wave of the pandemic has pushed the death toll in the country close to 200,000 and starved hospitals of life-saving medical oxygen and beds.
“The SASB [Shri Amarnath Shrine Board] has temporarily suspended the registration of pilgrims in view of the spike in Covid 19 cases. There has been no decision yet to call off the pilgrimage,” said an official, requesting anonymity. “...decisions [such as calling off the pilgrimage] are taken at the board meeting. ...last year, the pilgrimage was cancelled on July 21 because of the rise in Covid 19 cases.”
The official said the final decision will depend on how the Covid situation evolves. “Our intention is that if the situation improves, we will try and conduct the pilgrimage strictly in accordance with the Covid... [protocols].”
Niteshwar Kumar, the chief executive officer of SASB, did not respond to calls and messages for comments.
On April 17, the Mahamandleshwar, or head of Juna Akhada, the largest of the 13 sects of seers, Swami Avdheshanand Giri, was forced to declare the conclusion of the Mahakumbh in Haridwar amid the surge in Covid-19 cases. The announcement came after a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting only symbolic participation in the fourth and last Shahi Snan (holy dip) on April 27 at the mega fair.
The SASB last year arranged a live telecast of rituals from the cave shrine of Amarnath. In 2019, the pilgrimage was curtailed ahead of the nullification of Jammu & Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status as the erstwhile state was locked down and a communications blackout was imposed.
In 2018, 285,006 pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage, and this year the government has been making arrangements for 600,000 devotees, officials said. On Tuesday, Jammu & Kashmir reported 25 Covid-19 deaths that pushed the toll from the pandemic to 2,197 in the region.
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Former Jammu & Kashmir police chief S P Vaid said given the magnitude of the pandemic, the pilgrimage should be curtailed but important rituals should be held strictly in accordance with the norms like wearing of masks, social distancing, and hand sanitisation. “We should not commit the blunder of what happened in Kumbhmela.”
National Conference leader Israr Khan echoed Vaid and said no religious gatherings, electioneering, etc should be allowed. “We have to be very careful. Let us be alive first…this is not the time to hold any pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia called off Haj... everybody understood the gravity of the situation. If Haj can be cancelled, why cannot this [Amarnath] pilgrimage.” He called for curbs on gatherings such as weddings.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MY Tarigami said the country is in the middle of an unprecedented crisis. “We do not want to politicise the miseries and suffering of the people, but we have to hold accountable those in authority. They have to realise the situation and their blunders. Unfortunately, they do not have an iota of concern for the people, and I feel terribly shocked.”
Tarigami hoped the Centre and the local administration will realise the gravity of the situation. “As of now, it may not be as bad as it is in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, but we have to be prepared for the ongoing crisis, which may take a bad turn. Undoubtedly, [Amarnath] Yatra is pious and provides livelihood to many people in Kashmir, but human life is more important than anything else. Therefore, wisdom should prevail on those in authority,” he said. “...the Yatra should be called off and it will be in the best interest of pilgrims, and all of us.”