VHP accuses Govt of Baltal violence

Excelsior Correspondent

VHP leaders at a press conference at Jammu on Saturday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
VHP leaders at a press conference at Jammu on Saturday.
-Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, July 26; Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP) has accused the State Government of July 18 violence at Baltal- the base camp of Amarnath shrine.
While strongly condemning the mob violence at Baltal on July 18 and torching of 100 tents and 10 langars by frenzy mob, VHP National secretary and its spokesman, Dr Surinder Jain told reporters here today that this episode and subsequent happenings at Baltal show that State Government, Governor and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) are not interested in running this yatra.
Instead of running this yatra successfully they are trying to discourage the yatra, he said, adding the absence of Governor, Chief Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Shrine Board are testimony to the fact that they are not committed to running of annual yatra of Swami Amarnath Ji.
Dr Jain, who was flanked by VHP State president, Leela Karan Sharma, its general secretary, Dr Sham Lal Gupta and senior leader, Rajesh Gupta said the Government should know that any mishap can happen with this yatra any time and the absence of CM, Governor and CEO of the Board shows that they have not attached any importance to this important yatra.
He said the Baltal violence and attack on langar wallas and Yatris by local pony wallas etc shows that it was a preplanned move and to sabotage the yatra.  The saboteurs can go to any extent. They not only set the langars ablaze and looted the belongings but also hurt the sentiments of Hindus, he added.
The hooligans shouted anti India and pro-Pak slogans and this whole was a part of pre-planned conspiracy, he said, adding that people responsible for the same be identified and punished under law.
Dr Jain, while expressing VHP’s concern over the issue said the organization has taken it seriously and it will launch an agitation against the same.
He also took serious exception to separatist leaders and some mainstream politicians statements opposing running of Hindu yatras to historical shrines in Kashmir Valley by raising the bogey of pollution and said that Kashmir has world famous Hindu shrines and no one can stop the yatris to pay obeisance at these shrines.
Expressing his serious concern over the increasing border firing and violation of cease fire by Pakistan, the VHP leader asked Union Government to cease diplomatic relations with Pakistan and teach the neighboring country a lesson by launching counter attacks.
On the implementation of Apex Court judgment on Amarnath pilgrimage, Dr Jain said VHP senior leader Rajesh Gupta will visit holy cave to ascertain whether the SC judgment is implemented in letter and spirit or not. In case there were some discrepancies then the VHP will approach the Court, he added.