Opinion After Pahalgam, J&K needs the spiritual healing Amarnath Yatra offers

Our ancient scriptures describe Amarnath cave as the holy address of the sacred secret. Lord Shiva is believed to have narrated the story of the creation of the universe and disclosed the divine secret of amaratva (immortality) to Goddess Parvati during his sojourn in the mountains. In the Shiva Sutra, Lord Shiva says, “Pran samchre samdarshanam, Shiv tulyo jayate (Divine energy is blossoming. You need to experience it to become like me).” This is a profound message to humanity.

This year’s Amarnath Yatra is also a statement against terrorism. The soul of J&K was wounded in Pahalgam, with the killing of innocent civilians by Pakistani terrorists after identifying their faith. The nation was in shock. Jammu and Kashmir decided to lead the national outrage. Massive protests followed against terrorism. Women stepped out of their homes, ensuring their voices were not lost. The outpouring of emotions, though sudden, was in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism after 2019, and the outcome it delivered for the people, significantly transforming lives and snatching them out of the hands of terror.

The administration had followed a two-pronged policy — protecting innocent civilians but at the same time ruthlessly targeting terrorists and their supporters. We prioritised economic growth, infrastructure development, empowerment of the youth and women, incentivised social welfare and social justice to mainstream Jammu and Kashmir towards stability and prosperity — the benefits of democracy the region couldn’t afford due to persistent dark clouds of terror. Post-2019, we have worked hard to establish good governance and a transparent administrative system that encourages speedy implementation of projects. Over time, the gap between resources and aspirations was bridged to a great extent. This was possible because citizens, irrespective of religion and region, became the fulcrum of policy initiatives. Perhaps, for this reason, Jammu and Kashmir started to figure in different socio-economic growth indices in the last five years. Achievements, especially by the youth — recently three girls cleared the IIT entrance exam — by themselves narrate that J&K is realising its potential. The opening of the highest railway bridge at the Chenab River only manifests the UT’s willingness to join the steeplechase for many global firsts.

The overall transformation of the region also reflects in the way Amarnath Yatra has been organised since 2022, when pilgrimage began post-Covid. This year, helicopter services have been suspended due to safety concerns. I urge all pilgrims, including those travelling in private vehicles, to travel only with the convoy from Jammu to the base camps. Last year, more than five lakh devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave. It was the highest Yatra figure in the last 12 years.

Since 2022, considerable improvement has been made on both the Yatra routes. Wider tracks up to 12 feet were achieved on both the routes. We have introduced RFID-based tracking systems for all registered pilgrims and service providers for real-time monitoring and to prevent unauthorised access. 24×7 surveillance through live feed has ensured pilgrims’ safety. Hundred-bed hospitals at both the base camps at Baltal and Chandanwari have been made functional. Earlier, there was no power supply on Yatra routes. We have ensured grid power supply along the routes and the holy cave. Underground optical fibre cable has been laid for seamless tele-connectivity.

Such development is no less than a miracle. However, a frustrated Pakistan is resorting to terrorism to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir. But we will not let Pakistan and its terror proxies succeed. Operation Sindoor has not only avenged Pahalgam, it has set a new code against cross-border terrorism. We will give a befitting reply to any terrorist attacks in the future. With the same intensity, we will take the development process forward, too.

A successful Amarnath Yatra will strengthen our resolve to build Viksit Jammu and Kashmir and Viksit Bharat. The caravan of development that started in 2019 must move forward. The progress of the UT is the responsibility of every person in this country. The massive footfall of tourists in the last five years indicated the resolve of the nation. Jammu and Kashmir is now vying for a generational shift and every Indian will have to participate in this mahayagya.

I appeal to the devotees of Lord Shiva to join the Amarnath Yatra. Your pilgrimage will spiritually heal Jammu and Kashmir, wounded by the April 22 terror attack. May Mahadev bless us.

The writer is Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir