Author: Jasjit Singh
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: July 25, 2004
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=51705
Major holy places in the world are
attracting increasing numbers of pilgrims due to a variety of reasons.
But not all places are capable of providing for the ever growing numbers
that flock to pay homage. And since the issues relate to religious beliefs,
there are serious risks of misunderstanding and radicalisation of attitudes.
This is why countries have strictly regulated the numbers and process of
pilgrimage, almost making it a scientifically administered activity.
A large number of our holy sites
are in the high Himalayas, most with very restricted physical space in
the shrine and en route to accommodate a large number of devotees at any
one time. And yet we need to ensure that the believers get a fair opportunity
for their pilgrimage, while the process is well- regulated and efficiently
managed.
Saudi Arabia brought in strict rules
for efficient management of the Haj after the tragic massacres of 1979.
We don't have to wait for a major incident to ensure greater precautions
in administrative as well as security terms.
It is unfortunate, therefore, that
the issue of the Amarnath Yatra this year became politicised in many ways
even before the pilgrimage started, and this could spin out of control
if there are untoward incidents, or, worse, terrorist attacks on the pilgrims
with predictable fallout. After all, one of the key goals that the jehadi
militants have pursued in Punjab earlier, and in J&K and even in other
parts of India in more recent years, has been to try and trigger a communal
backlash. Given that the jehadi terrorist organisations continue to be
active in J&K, the risks to the yatra with wider consequences remain
obvious.
At the same time, the Mufti Government
is trying to cope with serious challenges and should have to face less
fire-fighting than it is confronted with so that it can devote greater
attention to the welfare of the people and their human development needs.
The general perception in the State is that the Governor, no doubt in his
enthusiasm to promote greater numbers to pay homage at the not-so-easy
to access holy shrine, appears to have triggered a process which could
lead to unanticipated consequences.
In the late 1980s, the total number
of pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra was in the order of 22,000. This has
grown to about 1,20,000 now, and with the extended duration of the yatra
is likely to increase further. This, of course, is the quantum of the organised
portion of the yatra. But even newspaper advertisements would tell you
of the enormous number of people travelling under their own arrangements
via various routes, often without the police in the know of such movement.
This number is generally estimated to be around 40-50,000.
There are three issues that should
concern all of us. One is the challenge of security of the pilgrims. The
J&K Police and the security forces in the State have been undertaking
a Herculean task in battling terrorism. Remarkable successes have been
achieved under the present dispensation. But it would be naive to believe
that the back of terrorism has been broken. In fact, by the very nature
of the yatra, it presents increased opportunities to the terrorists, especially
on routes that are less travelled and less guarded. Given the forests and
mountains through which such routes must pass, the potential for incidents
obviously increases. At the same time, little or no additional police force
has been inducted into the State for managing the task of additional security
needs. The J&K Police, which has been performing extremely well, has
had to pull out its reserve and training formations, in turn reducing their
training period, depleting the availability of reserves for any contingency,
and curtailing the time for rest and recuperation.
Secondly, it seems that the emotive
issue of an extended yatra has already started to polarise the communities
as well as the regional difference of approach between the Valley people
and those from outside. Any tragic incident would deepen that polarisation,
with debilitating effect on the peace and prosperity of J&K. It is
vital that politics must be kept out of the already complex and not-easy
to deal with issues related to the yatra.
Thirdly, we must recognise that
the Amarnath Yatra is extremely important for the people across the country.
And it is vital that this is well-managed in every aspect, particularly
insulating it from terrorist violence.
