Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: August 6, 2008
Echoing the voice of protesters on the streets
of Jammu, veteran Congressman and party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha
Karan Singh has sought the removal of Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra
and reconstitution of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
Advancing a five-point package formula to
resolve the unrest brewing in the State over cancellation of the land allotted
to SASB, Karan Singh also called for extending the yatra duration to two months
and temporary lease of land to SASB during the period.
A day ahead of the all-party meeting, and
even as the Congress blamed the Sangh Parivar for the Jammu unrest and the
Government groped for ways to resolve the stand-off, Singh's candid advocacy
for Vohra's removal could result in major embarrassment for the UPA Government.
However, Singh clarified that he was making
these proposals not in any party or partisan capacity, but because he had
been associated with "this sacred yatra" for six decades and was
still chairman-trustee of the Mahadev Gir Dashnami Akahara Trust where, near
Badshah Bridge in Srinagar, the Chhari Mubarak (the Sacred Mace) of Lord Shiva
resides under the care of a mahant.
In a two-page statement, Singh traced the
genesis of the current controversy to the arrival of Governor Vohra. "I
have high personal regard for (Shri) Vohra but under the circumstances I am
obliged to suggest that he should be considered for some other State where
his administrative experience and skills can be better utilised," Singh
said. Singh has proposed that Vohra be replaced by Gen (retd) JJ Singh, who
is currently the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. "Apart from his outstanding
professional qualifications, he also happens to come from the State, with
his family home in Doda district's Marwah area," he added.
As a second step for resolving the stand-off,
Singh said that after the appointment of Gen Singh, SASB could be reconstituted
under a new chairman, with members drawn from the Hindu community in the State,
including Kashmiri Pandits. "As the board chairman, I suggest the name
of Chief Justice (retd) AS Anand, who also belongs to J&K," Singh
said.
Making a strong plea for providing better
facilities during the yatra, Singh said the land should continue to remain
with the forest department and the State Government should work out a time-bound
programme for construction of shelters, cooking, sanitary and other arrangements
for the pilgrims before next year's yatra. He said that in view of the tremendous
increase in the number of the yatris, the pilgrimage should be extended to
two months -- from July 1 to August 1. "During this period, the entire
management of the pilgrim facilities as well as arrangements for the puja
in the holy cave should be given to SASB. The land could be leased on a temporary
basis to SASB for these two months," he said.
Calling for immediate lifting of the blockade
of the National Highway in the "larger interests of the nation and its
security", Singh demanded that the victims of police firing in J&K
during this agitation be paid suitable compensation.