Shrine Board & Request for the Restoration
of the allotment.
URL: http://bjp.org/Press/aug_2008/aug_1208a_p.htm
August 12, 2008
Her Excellency the President of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi
Sub: Protest against cancellation of allotment
of land to Amarnath
Shrine
Board & Request for the Restoration of the allotment.
Respected Madam,
Through this Dharna, BJP Minority Morcha expresses
its protest against the cancellation of allotment of land to Amarnath Shrine
Board by the State Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir.
Your goodself will appreciate that we are
a peace loving nation and we are proud of our culture and heritage. We have
been respecting the sentiments of our fellow citizens who have a different
faith or culture. This mutual respect and tolerance is the real characteristic
of Indian Society. The state of Jammu & Kashmir has always been an epitome
of this.
Amarnath Shrine and Vaishno Devi Temple are
prominent religious centers where lacs of Hindu devotees visit from all once
the country. The Muslims have always been extending all help and services
to the pilgrims so as to make their voyage more comfortable.
Due to the increase in the number of pilgrims
to the Amarnath Shrine and to provide better facilities for them, the J &
K Government allotted a piece of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board after clearance
from Forest Department & Tourism Department there. It was a joint decision
of the Congress Party and its coalition partner, the PDP. It was not a case
of allotment of land to an individual, nor was it for a commercial venture.
It was simply meant to serve the needs of pilgrims. Similar allotments are
being made by the Govt. all over the country but no one objects to it.
The later protest by separatist groups and
anti social elements is no argument for the cancellation of land for Amarnath
Shrine Board. The present allotment of land, as stated above, is simply to
provide shelter and other facilities to the pilgrims who have to travel a
long distance under adverse weather. The development of infrastructure in
the region for the pilgrims would also be beneficial for the local population
which would get its benefit round the year.
Not only the people of Jammu, but the entire
country is aggrieved over the matter as it hurts their sentiments. The Muslims
of the country stands beside their elder brother, the Hindu, because they
understand that peace and harmony is being disturbed by the decision of the
J & K Govt. & it is against the principle of mutual tolerance as being
practiced throughout the country. BJP Minority Morcha strongly condemns the
action of the J & K Government in cancellation of land for Amarnath Shrine.
We feel that this act on the part of the Congress Party, the PDP and their
supporters is in utter contravention of the principle of justice, tolerance
and secularism as enshrined in our constitution and as being practiced since
centuries.
We support the demand for the restoration
of allotment of land for Amarnath Shrine Board and appeal your goodself to
ensure that justice be given in this matter without the least fear of a few
miscreants who are not the representative of the masses in Jammu & Kashmir.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Syed Shahnawaz Hussain)
