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Home বিশেষ প্রতিবেদন A Circle of Violence in Khasmir Hindu Pilgrimage in Muslim Kashmir a Sign of Tolerance

Hindu Pilgrimage in Muslim Kashmir a Sign of Tolerance

ইমেইল প্রিন্ট পিডিএফ
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Download  The annual Hindu pilgrimage to a holy cave in Indian controlled Kashmir has begun amid rising tension in the valley.

The religious journey has for centuries been viewed as a symbol of religious tolerance.

 

The faithful are all Hindus but those facilitating the journey are mostly Muslims.

But three years ago, the pilgrimage site was at the centre of a land transfer row that increased tensions between Hindus and Muslims and lead to the revival of the separatist movement.

 

Some separatist groups now want the pilgrimage to be cut short.

 

Bismillah Geelani reports from the pilgrimage site 100 kilometres south of the provincal capital.

 

 

Pahalgam town is bustling with thousands of devotees as the annual Hindu pilgrimage Amarnath Yatra begins.

 

Sheetal, a housewife from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is making the journey for the first time.

 

“I have been longing for years to visit this sacred shrine. I can’t believe that I’m about to see the holy cave.”

 

The cave is situated 13, 000 feet above sea level.

Hindu priest Sitaram Sharma explains that they believe it was this cave where Lord Shiva revealed the “Amar Katha” or the secret of immortality to his wife Parvati.

 

The cave was discovered by a Muslim shepherd about 2 centuries ago. And since then, the local Muslim community has been an integral part of the pilgrimage.

In the early days, the Muslims themselves looked after the cave and managed the pilgrimage.

 

Later, the Hindus took over and now a government appointed committee has been given the responsibility.

 

But the success of the pilgrimage still depends hugely on the contribution made by the local Muslims.

 

Mohammad Shafi is incharge of a community Kitchen or Bhandara in Chandanwadi

“We want more people to come here. This shrine is a symbol of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. It’s not sacred only for the pilgrims we also hold it in high esteem. And when more pilgrims will come here this bond between us and them will grow stronger.”

 

The pilgrimage also gives a boost to the local economy. In addition to being a source of livelihood for many it also helps promote Kashmiri products.

 

The pilgrims often buy souvenirs of their trip to the holy cave.

Kalbhushan  is a pilgrim from the Indian state of Punja.

 

“We are as excited about shopping here as we are about the pilgrimage. Most of the pilgrims take many things from here to gift them to their relatives and friends back home.”

 

In 2008, a dispute over a piece of land create a wedge between the two communities.

The dispute pitted the Hindu majority Jammu region against the Muslim majority Kashmir which finally led to the revival of the separatist movement.

 

More than 60 people died in the agitation that continued for three months.

Though the pilgrimage continued uninterrupted even during those bloody days, some separatist groups are now demanding that the duration of the pilgrimage be reduced.

They say a heavy rush of the pilgrims poses a threat to the fragile ecology of the region.

 

Sayyid Ali Gilani is chairman of the  Hurriyat Conference.

 

“We have nothing against the pilgrims. But the pilgrimage used to be for 15 days earlier and a few years ago the government extended it to two months which is adversely affecting our environment. So we want the duration of the pilgrimage be restored back to 15 days.”

 

The demand is supported by many in the valley including the main opposition party.

But the committee managing the pilgrimage has rejected this demand.

Chaman Lal Gupta is a member of Amarnath Shrine Board.

 

“Many people now have the resources and are willing to spend their money on this and we think depriving them of this opportunity is unfair.”

 

More than four hundred thousand pilgrims visited the shrine last year. The authorities expect the number to increase further this year.

 

The pilgrimage also means more Indian troops int eh area and restrictions on local people’s movements. Mohammad Shaban  is a resident  of Anantnag in south Kashmir.

 

“It has become a headache for us. We spend sleepless nights all this while because the security forces can barge into our homes at any time. So the government must do something and rid us of this trouble.”

 

But the security forces say they must be there to protect the faithful.

 

Prabhat kumar is Deputy Inspector General of the Border Security Force

“Every year, definitely their aim and objective is to hit at a yatri camp, hit at a Bhandara, try to do an IED plast, throw a couple of grenades. As per inputs, there have been such intensions very clearly enunciated by various militant groups and that’s why we are here.”

 

But even today, when the valley is in turmoil with violent protests erupting almost every day, the pilgrimage is progressing smoothly.

 

Pilgrims like sunil Trimuty  says it’s a sign that communal harmony is still alive in Kashmir.

 

“We are deeply moved to see the local Muslims protecting us and serving us selflessly, this is a great gesture, this kind of relationship between Hindus and Muslims is seldom seen anywhere else. I pray that this keeps flourishing and brings prosperity to Kashmir.”

 

সর্বশেষ আপডেট ( মঙ্গলবার, 03 আগস��ট 2010 16:42 )  

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