'Amarnath pilgrims number cannot be raised'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 19. The Jammu & Kashmir Government today submitted before the Delhi High Court that it could not accommodate more pilgrims wishing to visit the Amarnath shrine this year.

The High Court had on July 17 asked the State Government to tell whether it could allow more pilgrims to the shrine.

Counsel for the Government said that due to security constraints and bad weather, the administration would not be able to make proper arrangements if more pilgrims were permitted. About 3,500 pilgrims are allowed to move for the shrine from Jammu every day.

The counsel submitted a copy of communication between the State Tourism Secretary and Tourism Director before a division bench comprising Mr. Justice Arajit Pasayat and Mr. Justice D.K. Jain in support of the it's decision not to permit more pilgrims.

The Bench has been hearing two public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the restrictions put on the number of pilgrims to the shrine every year.

In their petitions, Shri Amarnath Yatra Welfare Board and Mr. Durgainder Singh, an advocate, submitted that restricting the number of pilgrims to 3,500 each day was tantamount to prohibiting pilgrims from undertaking the pilgrimage which was violative of a devout's right to free movement and worship, and, therefore, liable to be struck down.

Opposing the compulsory registration of pilgrims, the petitioners said that it was violative of the right to freedom of religion and the court's guidelines issued in 1997 on how the yatra should to conducted.

They also urged the court to mandate the Government to provide proper shelter, civic amenities and medicare to pilgrims on the entire route from Chandanwari or Baltal to the holy cave.

They further submitted that organising free food (bhandara) for the pilgrims was an integral part of any ritual in the Hindu religion; hence, the Government's decision not to allow any organisation to make arrangement for it was violative of Article 25 of the Constitution whereby freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and prorogation of religion is guaranteed.

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