Use Amarnath Yatra to build bridges: Mehbooba tells Kashmiris

Pahalgam, Jun 15: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called on Kashmiris to use the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as an opportunity to strengthen ties with people across the country, saying the annual yatra can help foster harmony, counter misinformation, and bridge growing divides.

Addressing stakeholders and party workers in Pahalgam, a key base camp for the yatra, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through a difficult period and that rebuilding trust between Kashmir and the rest of the country was essential.

“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 urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to seek an All-Party Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but received no response.

“We wanted the CM to talk to the PM 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 said Kashmiris should not wait for political engagement from New Delhi and instead reach out directly to the country’s people 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.

Mehbooba said yatris and tourists could help narrow the disconnect between Kashmir and the rest of the country 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 yatri as a guest of Kashmir, Mehbooba urged residents to ensure visitors leave with a positive impression of Kashmir.

“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.

Mehbooba said the yatra carries added significance at a time of increasing polarisation and mistrust.

“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 that the prejudice and misinformation about Kashmir and Muslims can best be challenged through direct engagement with visitors.

“Every interaction with yatris presents an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s traditions of hospitality, compassion, and coexistence,” she said.

Calling for greater public participation in the yatra, Mehbooba said it should not be viewed solely through a security lens.

“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.

Mehbooba said people in Jammu and Kashmir were facing uncertainty and growing grievances, and stressed the need for dialogue to address their concerns.

“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 begin next month amid extensive security and logistical preparations by the administration.