LAVIKA JAIN || EP || Editorial
J&K, JULY 23: Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, about 141 km from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through Pahalgam town. This year’s Amarnath Yatra has been cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the decision-making body regarding the pilgrimage, was slated to hold a meeting on Tuesday and take a final decision on the same.
This would create huge effect on the pilgrims too. “Based upon the circumstances, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board decided that it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra and expressed its regret to announce the cancellation of Yatra 2020,” as said by Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the day the Amarnath Yatra was scheduled to begin, the J&K administration announced that the annual pilgrimage will not be held this year. Given the coronavirus pandemic, the Yatra had already been shortened and was to start on July 21 and end August 3, instead of the usual 45-day duration.
The decision follows questions being raised over the administration planning for the Yatra even as other religious gatherings in Jammu and Kashmir have been barred till July 31 because of Covid-19.
“To keep the religious sentiments alive, Board shall continue live telecast/virtual darshan of morning & evening aarti. The traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice. Chadi Mubarak shall be facilitated by the government,” Raj Bhavan further said.
The decision has finally put an end to the speculation surrounding the annual pilgrimage. Days ago, the Supreme Court had quashed a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir administration and SASB to suspend this year’s Amarnath Yatra in view of COVID-19.
LIVE TELECAST OF DARSHAN, an initiative:
The SASB further decided that keeping in view, the sentiments of millions of devotees, a live telecast/ virtual darshan of morning and evening aartis will be done during the yatra period. “The Board is aware of and respects the sentiments of millions of devotees and to keep the religious sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the Live Telecast/ Virtual Darshan of the morning and evening Aarti. Further, the traditional rituals shall be carried out as per past practice. Also, the Chhadi Mubarak shall be facilitated by the Government,” SASB said in a statement.
MOREOVER, SC rejected a plea seeking cancellation of Amarnath Yatra
“We cannot enter the arena of the Executive. We have to respect the principle of separation of powers,” the apex court had said during the hearing on the matter.
“Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus, directing the Respondents to restrict the access of the general public/devotees/pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2020, in view of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic or Issue a writ/order/direction in the nature of mandamus, directing the Respondents to provide for live darshan of the Lord Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine by way of the internet and the television, so that there can be access to crores of people across the country,” the petition had said.
