How dissent was manufactured

A terrible tragedy struck the Amarnath pilgrimage in 1996. As there was virtually no control over the movement of the pilgrims, about 52,000 of them found themselves stranded on August 21, either at the cave or on its route, when torrential rain and heavy snow-storms lashed the area, writes Jagmohan.

A terrible tragedy struck the Amarnath pilgrimage in 1996. As there was virtually no control over the movement of the pilgrims, about 52,000 of them found themselves stranded on August 21, either at the cave or on its route, when torrential rain and heavy snow-storms lashed the area. No help could be extended to them. The telecommunication system collapsed. The civil administration, which was even otherwise not well-equipped, failed to grapple with the situation. A total of 243 persons froze to death between August 22 and 25.

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Unfortunately, we as a nation, generally show little anticipation and make no preparation to meet hostile weather conditions. That is why we suffer heavy casualties whenever we are struck by natural disaster.

At the time the Amarnath Cave complex tragedy occurred, I was an MP. In consequence of a ‘call-attention notice’, the matter came up for discussion in the Lok Sabha. I participated in the proceedings. In the course of my speech, I unfolded the parameters of my blueprint and narrated what I had intended to do but could not do due to the end of the Governor’s rule.

The broad conclusions drawn by the Inquiry Officer were that “the tragedy assumed the proportion of a disaster because of unprecedented natural calamity which exposed the fragile administrative arrangements made for pilgrimage”, and that “it was pointless to apportion blame at this stage”. He also suggested “construction of an adequate number of permanent rest sheds and night shelters at Seshnag and Panjtarni”.

Despite the grim tragedy and the national furore that followed it, the matter lingered on till 2000, when the Sri Amarnath Shrine Act was passed by the State legislature. The administration, management and governance of the Amarnath Shrine was entrusted to a Board. The Board’s fund comprises such grants-in-aid as may be received from the state government and the Government of India, contributions from philanthropic organisations and the offerings made to the shrine. Later on, under the National Tourism Policy (2001), Rs 2 crore was sanctioned by the Union Culture and Tourism Ministry to the Amarnath Board for making proper arrangement for the temporary stay of the pilgrims and for providing sanitary and safety-related amenities. Subsequently, another Rs 7 crore was released by the Union Government for the same purpose. Meanwhile, the Board approached the state for allocation of land for putting up pre-fabricated structures at suitable spots on the route to the shrine.

A contrived controversy

After repeated requests by its officers, land was made available to the Board for use and creation of temporary facilities. This was done with the approval of the Forest Minister. Nevertheless, the state government officials continued to put hurdles in the efforts of the board to set up even temporary structures, such as prefabricated latrines.

Soon thereafter, a politically motivated and virulent public agitation was started. At the initial stage, the main push for the agitation came from the separatists. Mehbooba Mufti, President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was quick to join it. The PDP walked out of the coalition government. Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned as chief minister and the state was brought under the Governor’s rule. Meanwhile, the secessionists, subversionists and other elements hostile to the Indian Union injected a huge dose of violence into it. Falsehood was spread with impunity. It was propagated that a conspiracy had been hatched to build a new township of Amarnath Nagar and change the demographic profile of the Valley, though the propagators knew very well that neither ‘non-state subjects’ could acquire any property in J&K nor was it feasible to have regular human habitation in the area which remained under snow for about eight months a year.

The conditions deteriorated to such an extent that Pakistan’s flag was hoisted at the historic Lal Chowk. Following public outcry, M.K. Narayanan, National Security Adviser, visited the state and held discussions with the Governor. Firm action was, thereafter, taken. To frustrate marches to the Line of Control, curfews were imposed and enforced. In the clashes that ensued between the trouble-makers and the security forces 20 lost their lives. Separately, the Governor, in his capacity as Chairman of the Amarnath Shrine Board withdrew the request for allotment of land. The agitationists hailed the Governor’s decision as their victory and terminated the agitation.

But this caused a wave of anger in the Jammu region. It was thought that the government had allowed itself to be bullied by the Islamists and political exploitators and had shown little regard either for the Hindu sentiments or for the welfare of the pilgrims. A non-political outfit, Amarnath Sanghsarsh Samiti, covering almost all shades of public opinion in Jammu was set up and a movement was launched to secure restoration of land to the Shrine Board. The movement was marked by passionate intensity. Ultimately, the government saw wisdom in making some concessions and reaching an agreement with the Sangharsh Samiti. The use of land, and construction of temporary structures on it, were allowed during the period of pilgrimage. The cost of the land — Rs 2.51 crore — earlier paid by the Amarnath Shrine Board was refunded. As a short-term measure, the agreement brought peace to the state.

The tragedy of 1996 and the tragedies connected with the public agitation of the 2008 summer in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region show that the destructive forces have become so strong in our country that even a programme which has a huge potential for economic development, cultural regeneration, and national integration, cannot be executed.

Edited extracts from Reforming Vaishno Devi (Rupa). Jagmohan is a former Governor of J&K. He was also Union Culture and Tourism Minister