Politics on Amarnath Yatra: Omar Abdullah and Iltija Mufti clash over premature intercession of Baba Barfani, know what is the whole controversy

A news has come out from the holy Amarnath cave in Jammu and Kashmir which has disappointed the devotees across the country. Only a few days have passed since the beginning of this 57-day long holy Amarnath Yatra, but the naturally formed ice Shivalinga (Himalinga) inside the cave has almost completely melted. More than 80 thousand devotees had darshan of Baba Barfani in the first four days of this yatra which started from July 3, but according to the pictures surfaced on July 6, about 90 percent of the Himlinga has disappeared. After this incident, political rhetoric has also intensified in Jammu and Kashmir. Melting of Shivling is beyond human control: CM Omar Abdullah Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed his views on the issue of premature melting of Shivling and devotees arriving without registration. CM Omar said in clear words, "As far as Shivalinga is concerned, it is made by nature and God. Neither you nor I can decide how long this will last. This time it remained in full size for six days, which is beyond human control."

Speaking on people trying to undertake the yatra without registration, the Chief Minister said the Supreme Court has already set a cap on the number of pilgrims. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) is solely bound to enforce this rule and it is entirely an internal matter of the Shrine Board. Iltija Mufti raised questions: Rope-way and indiscriminate crowd were held responsible. On the other hand, Iltija Mufti, daughter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, has expressed serious concern over the premature interment of Baba Barfani and raised questions on the management of the Shrine Board. Iltija wrote on the social media platform ‘X’ that Amarnath cave is located in a very sensitive area (Eco-sensitive Zone) between glaciers and snow-covered mountains. Unnecessary construction work, huge crowd of travelers and a big ropeway project around this very sacred place for Hindus, which has been in existence since the 12th century, are causing huge damage to the environment. Iltija Mufti further said, "The Amarnath Yatra is deeply connected to our shared sense of ‘Kashmiriyat’ and devotees are always heartily welcomed in Kashmir. But to keep this sacred tradition intact for a long time, the Shrine Board will have to exercise more caution and wisdom. We should not forget that there was a time when Himling remained in its natural form for a long time even after the journey was over."