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Raje deplores decision of Kashmir Government

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has deplored the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to give up the claim on land provided for the convenience of pilgrims visiting the Amarnath shrine. The faith of crores of Hindus was attached to the holy shrine, she said. In a statement here, Ms. Raje said it was beyond her comprehension why the land meant for providing facilities to pilgrims at Baltaal and Chandwadi cave located on the way to the Amarnath shrine was now being returned after paying the required amount of Rs.2.31 crores.

“The decision is unreasonable as well,” she said, pointing out that the Amarnath Shrine Board, constituted after a Bill was passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2000, had taken up the project back in 2004.

“Lakhs of devotees go to Kashmir from all over the country every year to worship the holy ‘Shiv Ling’ at Amarnath trudging an inhospitable route. It is the responsibility of the State to provide necessary facilities to the devotees.” Ms. Raje said.

The time had come for understanding secularism in the real sense and act accordingly so that the sentiments of people who belong to all faiths and sects got equal respect in the true spirit of the Constitution, Ms. Raje added.

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