Covid-19: Fate of annual Amarnath yatra yet to be decided

In the wake of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the valley of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has temporarily suspended the online registration for Amarnath yatra. Although authorities have temporarily suspended the registration for the pilgrimage, the site still says that the pilgrimage will take place as scheduled from 28 June through 22 August. The latest report from Jammu said that SASB has yet to decide about the cancellation of the yatra.

Critics have said the annual Amarnath pilgrimage could lead to a devastating wave of the coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir, which has underequipped healthcare facilities.

In 2019, the government cancelled the yatra midway in August before going for a complete blockade and clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir as a preparation for the abrogation of Article 370. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the annual Amarnath yatra was again called off.

Though the decision about the current year would be taken by the board in the next meeting, there are growing voices of concern in Jammu and Kashmir about holding the Amarnath yatra. Critics have said the annual Amarnath pilgrimage could lead to a devastating wave of the coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir, which has underequipped healthcare facilities.

Already many political activists and social organizations along with experts have appealed for the cancellation of yatra because of the growing second wave of Covid-19.

Tanvir Sadiq, a senior leader of Kashmir’s grand old political party, National Conference said that conducting Amarnath Yatra could prove to be a “fatal superspreader”.

Kashmir tourism was having hopes of economic revival with the annual pilgrimage, however, it is the time to save “lives first and livelihood later”.

Already in the spring season of the current year, LG Manoj Sinha and his administration in Jammu and Kashmir have come under severe criticism for throwing gardens open to the public, and organizing cultural festivals, as myriad people attend the gathering which further adds fuel to the fire.