Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

In god’s name

This refers to the editorial “In god’s name” (June 25) on the controversy surrounding the Jammu and Kashmir government’s act of assigning 39.88 hectares of forestland to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board for temporarily housing pilgrims. To end the communal trouble that has followed, the government should withdraw the offer of forestland to the SASB.

Instead, it can consider leasing out the land to the locals to construct even permanent structures for housing Amarnath pilgrims, or provide other similar facilities. This arrangement will help to improve the relationship between the two communities.

M. Govindarajulu,

Chennai

Thehseen Zakir,

Kochi

C.R. Viswanath,

Mumbai

The controversy surrounding the SASB is disquieting, and speaks volumes about the so-called change of heart in the Valley. Thousands of devotees from all over India visit Amarnath for the annual, summertime yatra. Surely, they need temporary shelter and facilities.

The protests are not in the nature of environmental concerns and fears of degradation, but are driven by the desire to protect the so-called Muslim identity of Kashmir.

J. Akshobhya,

Mysore

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