Excelsior Correspondent
LUDHIANA, Apr 18: Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO) has expressed grave concern and strong objection to the changes introduced in the procedure of inviting applications and the process for granting permissions to Langar organisations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2026.
According to SABLO, the decades-old transparent inviting offer, EOI-based system has been discontinued without any justification, making the entire selection process opaque and questionable.
SABLO in a statement issued here, today said that in its representation to SASB dated 20.03.2026, wherein serious concern was raised regarding lack of transparency, non-disclosure of selection criteria, and discontinuation of the long-established procedure for grant of permission to Langar Organisations for Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2026, no response whatsoever has been received till date from Shrine Board which is a matter of grave concern.
Rajan Gupta and H.K. Chugh stated that, although more than three weeks have elapsed since the last date for submission of applications, i.e. 25.03.2026, nothing has been heard regarding scrutiny of applications, declaration of selection criteria, or issuance of permission letters.
They said instead SABLO has been reliably informed that an individual, allegedly acting as a close confidant, favoured intermediary, unofficial conduit, agent, or mouthpiece of certain officials of SASB, is obtaining signatures from NGOs on an Undertaking by creating fear, pressure, coercion, and undue influence, while conveying that: non-signing of the undertaking would lead to denial of permission, and execution of such undertaking is mandatory for obtaining permission letters.
This is extremely serious issues touching upon the fairness, legality, transparency, and institutional integrity of the entire permission process, they said.
They said the undertaking appears designed to compel surrender of accrued rights, silence legitimate concerns, and create an atmosphere of fear and submission, which is wholly impermissible in law.
SABLO representatives, including Pankaj Soni, Vijay Mehra, and Faqir Chand Verma, have sought urgent clarification on whether the attached undertaking has been officially approved, prescribed, authorized, or mandated by SASB?
SABLO demanded whether signing of such undertaking is a mandatory pre-condition for grant of permission for Amarnathji Yatra, 2026?
If it is so then why has the same not been placed in the public domain, why has no official circular/notice been issued by SASB, why has the same not been communicated directly to all applicants, and why are signatures being procured through an alleged private intermediary rather than through SASB directly?
SABLO while demanding immediate clarification said that a clear, categorical, and written clarification be issued at the earliest regarding the legality, authority, and status of the undertaking.
In case the undertaking is not authorized by SASB
that strict, action be taken against the concerned individual(s) who are reportedly procuring such undertakings.
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