Jammu : Bajrang Dal activists protest against curtailing duration of Amarnath Yatra

Vaishakh Krushna 9, Kaliyug Varsha 5114

Amarnath mandir

Various Hindu organisations and Jammu based political parties have condemned the state government for allegedly curtailing the duration of the yatra period.

The government has announced June 25 as scheduled date for beginning of yatra, which would culminate on August 2.

However, the Bajrang Dal activists amid chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’ and ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar’ left for the Balatal but they were  stopped at Jhajjar Kotli, about 35 km from here on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

"The activists of Bajrang Dal were not allowed to proceed and detained as a preventive measure," a police spokesman said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad state president Ramakant Dubey condemned the authorities "for not allowing them to proceed to the base camp."

"We are living in a democratic set up and have freedom to move anywhere across the country," Mr Dubey told UNI.

He said the activists were peacefully proceeding to Baltal to set up a base camp for the pilgrims coming to perform yatra.

"They were not going to perform the yatra but arrange facilities for the yatris besides inspecting the present situation and clearing the snow bound route," Dubey said.

"We have not yet received any official invitation from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for talks but we are firm on our stand and the yatra will commence from June 4," he added.

Source : Hindustan Times