Seventy-five days have passed since the Adh Kunwari tragedy claimed 34 innocent lives on the sacred Katra-Vaishno Devi track, yet neither the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board nor the Government has fixed accountability for the gross lapses that led to the disaster. A tragedy of such magnitude-occurring despite clear weather advisories and heavy rainfall warnings-cannot be brushed aside as a mere act of nature. When decisions were taken to allow the yatra to proceed amid such conditions, responsibility must follow those choices. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. A similar episode unfolded in 2022 when a stampede on New Year’s night led to 12 deaths at the Bhawan. Even then, an inquiry was ordered, its report sealed, and the matter conveniently buried despite Public Interest Litigation. A pattern has emerged-announce a committee, promise a 7 or 15-day report, and let the issue fade from public memory. The “day after 7 or 15 days” never seems to arrive. Such token enquiries serve only to quieten public outrage, not to deliver justice or prevent recurrence.
The Adh Kunwari tragedy was unprecedented; the yatra remained suspended for 22 days. Even after resumption, it was stopped again for three days. The uncertainty surrounding both pilgrimage and travel, compounded by the prolonged suspension of train services to Katra and Jammu, has dealt a crippling blow to the local economy and shaken public confidence. When pilgrims are unsure of safety-both on track and in transit-the spiritual and economic ecosystem built around the shrine stands jeopardised.
The Shrine Board’s responsibility extends beyond managing logistics; it bears the moral and administrative duty to ensure a safe pilgrimage. Shielding erring officials only deepens mistrust. Transparency alone can restore faith-by making the inquiry report public, explaining the causes and detailing the remedial measures. Accountability is not about assigning blame for the sake of it-it is about ensuring that mistakes are not repeated and lives are not lost again. The Government must act decisively: register a case, hold those responsible to account, and communicate clearly the safety measures now in place. In matters of faith, trust is everything-and once lost, it cannot be rebuilt through silence or secrecy. The devotees deserve nothing but truth and not tokenism.
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