Jammu, July 21
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the UT administration of J&K announced on Tuesday that the Amarnath pilgrimage of year 2020 has been cancelled in view of the squeeze and situation caused by the pandemic of coronavirus that has resulted in dislocation of life.
An official announcement was made on Tuesday evening after the UT administration and SASB in a joint meeting conducted through video conference, chaired by Lt. Governor G C Murmu, who also is chairman of the shrine board, saying that in the given situation of the pandemic which has tested the limits of the health infrastructure, it would be “advisable to cancel the yatra” in the interests of the pilgrims too.
This is for the first time in the history of the pilgrimage that dates back to 19th century, when the cave shrine was discovered by shepherds, that the yatra has been cancelled due to the pandemic, though there were short-duration disruptions because of the natural calamities or the terror attacks.
In 2017, despite a major terror attack in south Kashmir, the yatra was continued as the then Governor and chairman of the SASB, N N Vohra had decided to go ahead with the pilgrimage.
Amarnath shrine is nestled in high Himalayas at the height of 13,500 ft above sea level. An ice stalagmite that is revered as an icon of Lord Shiva, and reverently called as “Shivlingam” is the main attraction of the pilgrimage that also symbolises the communal harmony in Kashmir.
The holy mace, better known as “Charri Mubarak” will, however, would be facilitated to reach the shrine through special arrangements made by the J&K UT administration. It may be airlifted to the shrine on August 3, the Raksha Bandhan day, that marks the conclusion of the yatra.
An official release said, “It is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra” and announced the cancellation of the pilgrimage.
The SASB and the government officials held a “threadbare discussion on the current circumstances of COVID-19 pandemic and its likely impact on the Yatra”. The meeting also discussed various rulings of the Supreme Court and High Court on the yatra.
It was claimed that the that the arrangements were on track since February 2020, but due to nationwide lockdown and pandemic, State Executive Committee, J&K, has still continued to keep religious places and places of worship closed for the public. These prohibitions continue till July 31.
The government admitted that “the pandemic has put the health administration system to its limit. The spike has been particularly very sharp in July. Health workers and security forces are also getting infected and the focus of entire medical, civil and police administration at the moment is on containing the local transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health concerns are so serious that the strain on the health system, along with the diversion in resources to the Yatra, will be immense. This would also unnecessarily put the Yatris at risk of catching the COVID-19”.
