Amarnath Yatra a Festival of Brotherhood: Deputy CM

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chaudhary on Tuesday visited the holy Amarnath cave to offer prayers ahead of the official commencement of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra—2025. He also chaired a high-level review meeting in Sonamarg to assess the final arrangements for the Yatra, which begins on July 3.

Speaking to media persons after paying obeisance at the shrine, Chaudhary said the Yatra is more than a religious journey. “This Yatra is a festival that showcases the unity, harmony, and shared spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Its beauty lies in the fact that the base camp is in Jammu while the sacred shrine is in Kashmir, which reflects the brotherhood of our region,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister praised the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for its work on the Baltal-to-holy cave track. “I personally inspected the route and was satisfied with the work done by BRO. Despite the short working season in Kashmir, the pace and quality of the development are notable,” he said.

Chaudhary also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the Union Territory administration. He said departments such as PDD, Jal Shakti, and Rural Development are working round the clock to ensure a safe and smooth Yatra for all devotees. “We pray that this Yatra, coming after the Baisaran attack, becomes a grand success. I appeal to devotees to experience the hospitality of the people here and support the revival of tourism in Kashmir, which witnessed a decline following the Pahalgam attack,” he said.

Highlighting the region’s legacy, he said, “Jammu and Kashmir is known for its warmth and hospitality. These are values passed down from our elders, and it is our responsibility to preserve this legacy.”

He also suggested that local artisans should be supported by providing them space to set up stalls along the Yatra route.

In a strong political statement during his visit, Deputy CM Chaudhary reiterated his party’s stand on statehood. “Statehood leke rahenge, chheen ke rahenge. Bilkul nahi rukenge,” he said.

The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 19, with thousands of pilgrims from across India expected to participate. (KNO)