August 12, 2008

Her Excellency the President of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi

Sub: Protest against cancellation of allotment of land to Amarnath Shrine
Board & Request for the Restoration of the allotment.

Respected Madam,

Through this Dharna, BJP Minority Morcha expresses its protest against the cancellation of allotment of land to Amarnath Shrine Board by the State Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir.

Your goodself will appreciate that we are a peace loving nation and we are proud of our culture and heritage. We have been respecting the sentiments of our fellow citizens who have a different faith or culture. This mutual respect and tolerance is the real characteristic of Indian Society. The state of Jammu & Kashmir has always been an epitome of this.

Amarnath Shrine and Vaishno Devi Temple are prominent religious centers where lacs of Hindu devotees visit from all once the country. The Muslims have always been extending all help and services to the pilgrims so as to make their voyage more comfortable.

Due to the increase in the number of pilgrims to the Amarnath Shrine and to provide better facilities for them, the J & K Government allotted a piece of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board after clearance from Forest Department & Tourism Department there. It was a joint decision of the Congress Party and its coalition partner, the PDP. It was not a case of allotment of land to an individual, nor was it for a commercial venture. It was simply meant to serve the needs of pilgrims. Similar allotments are being made by the Govt. all over the country but no one objects to it.

The later protest by separatist groups and anti social elements is no argument for the cancellation of land for Amarnath Shrine Board. The present allotment of land, as stated above, is simply to provide shelter and other facilities to the pilgrims who have to travel a long distance under adverse weather. The development of infrastructure in the region for the pilgrims would also be beneficial for the local population which would get its benefit round the year.

Not only the people of Jammu, but the entire country is aggrieved over the matter as it hurts their sentiments. The Muslims of the country stands beside their elder brother, the Hindu, because they understand that peace and harmony is being disturbed by the decision of the J & K Govt. & it is against the principle of mutual tolerance as being practiced throughout the country. BJP Minority Morcha strongly condemns the action of the J & K Government in cancellation of land for Amarnath Shrine. We feel that this act on the part of the Congress Party, the PDP and their supporters is in utter contravention of the principle of justice, tolerance and secularism as enshrined in our constitution and as being practiced since centuries.

We support the demand for the restoration of allotment of land for Amarnath Shrine Board and appeal your goodself to ensure that justice be given in this matter without the least fear of a few miscreants who are not the representative of the masses in Jammu & Kashmir.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Syed Shahnawaz Hussain)