Pahalgam, Jun 16: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Kashmiris to use the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as an opportunity to strengthen ties with people across the country, saying the annual pilgrimage can help promote harmony, counter misinformation and bridge growing divides.
Addressing stakeholders and party workers in Pahalgam, one of the key base camps for the yatra, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult phase and stressed the need to rebuild trust between Kashmir and the rest of the country.
“It is not possible for Kashmiris to come out of this unless and until their hearts meet with the rest of the country,” she said.
The former chief minister said she had written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urging him to seek an all-party meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss issues concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We wanted the Chief Minister to talk to the Prime Minister and Home Minister and convince them for an all-party meeting so that the problems of the people are mitigated, but he chose not to even reply to my letter,” she said.
Mehbooba, however, said Kashmiris should not wait for political engagement from New Delhi and instead connect directly with people from across the country through tourism and the Amarnath Yatra.
“Even if the Government of India doesn’t talk to us, we need to talk to the people of our country. We need to start a Satyagrah just like Mahatma Gandhi started, through tourism and Amarnath Yatra,” she said.
She said pilgrims and tourists visiting Kashmir could help narrow the disconnect between the Valley and the rest of India by sharing their experiences after returning home.
“This will ensure that yatris and tourists become our ambassadors across the country and carry forward our message,” she said.
Describing every Amarnath pilgrim as a guest of Kashmir, Mehbooba called upon residents to extend warmth and hospitality to visitors.
“Every Amarnath yatri who visits us is a guest of Kashmir. They carry the story of our land, our people and our values to every corner of the country. It is our responsibility to ensure they leave with memories of our love, warmth and hospitality,” she said.
The PDP chief said the yatra assumes greater significance at a time when polarisation and mistrust are increasing across the country.
“In an atmosphere of increasing polarisation and mistrust, when Kashmiri workers are attacked in the country, the yatra offers an opportunity to build bridges, strengthen human connections and promote mutual understanding,” she said.
Mehbooba said prejudice and misinformation about Kashmir and Muslims can be effectively challenged through direct interaction with visitors.
“Every interaction with yatris presents an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s traditions of hospitality, compassion and coexistence,” she added.
Calling for greater public participation in the pilgrimage, she said the Amarnath Yatra should not be viewed solely through a security prism.
“We need to safeguard yatris without security forces so that the government realises that we could do it on our own. This will make New Delhi think that they don’t need security forces in civilian areas and that we can protect our own people,” she said.
Referring to issues faced by people in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba alleged that growing grievances and uncertainty require dialogue and engagement.
“Youth are being booked under PSA, properties are being bulldozed on the pretext of being owned by drug peddlers and people are being terminated from jobs. Dialogue is necessary to address these issues,” she said.
The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence next month amid extensive security and logistical preparations by the administration.
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