SABLO EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERNS OVER PILGRIMS SAFETY, WELFARE AND INADEQUATE FACILITIES DURING SHRI AMARNATHJI YATRA
LUDHIANA, July 06: Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO), representing Yatris and Bhandara (Langar) service providers engaged in the service of pilgrims during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, has expressed grave concern and deep disappointment over the numerous hardships being faced by the Yatris. The Organisation has particularly highlighted serious issues/concerns relating to the safety, welfare, dignity, and availability of adequate basic facilities for pilgrims undertaking the sacred pilgrimage. SABLO has urged the Shrine Board and all other relevant/concerned authorities to take immediate and effective corrective measures to ensure that every pilgrim is provided with a safe, dignified, and comfortable environment throughout the Yatra.
SABLO has submitted an urgent representation to the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board expressing grave concern over the hardships reportedly being faced by pilgrims at various transit points, particularly in and around Jammu and Base Camps at Baltal & Nunwan.
Rajan Gupta, President of the Organisation has drawn the attention of the Shrine Board to numerous reports, videos and news items circulating on various social media platforms indicating that large numbers of pilgrims have allegedly been compelled to wait for prolonged periods, in some cases extending to 24–48 hours or even longer, under difficult circumstances. Reports also suggest inadequacies in the availability of food, safe drinking water, sanitation, bathing facilities, toilets, medical assistance and temporary accommodation at several locations where pilgrims are required to halt. The Organisation has further expressed concern over reports alleging the use of lathi charge and other harsh measures against pilgrims, stating that if such incidents have occurred, they are deeply unfortunate and inconsistent with the sanctity and dignity of the Holy Yatra.
Rajan Gupta emphasized that lakhs of devotees from every corner of the country—including the southern States, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam and several other regions—undertake the arduous pilgrimage solely out of faith and devotion to Bhagwan Shri Amarnath Ji. Every pilgrim, irrespective of age, gender or place of origin, deserves to be treated with compassion, courtesy, respect and dignity throughout the pilgrimage.
Faqir Chand Verma of the Organisation stated that ensuring the safety, welfare, comfort and dignity of every pilgrim is the foremost responsibility of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, in close coordination with the Civil Administration and Police Authorities. It urged the authorities to immediately review the prevailing arrangements and take prompt corrective measures wherever deficiencies exist.
Pankaj Soni, Media Secretary of the Organisation has requested the Shrine Board to ensure uninterrupted availability of food, safe drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities and temporary accommodation at all transit points; adopt humane and pilgrim-friendly crowd management practices; prevent unnecessary hardship or harassment of devotees; establish a 24×7 Monitoring and Grievance Redressal Mechanism; deploy senior officers at major transit points for continuous supervision; prominently display emergency contact details and help desk information; conduct regular inspections of all arrangements; and fix accountability wherever serious lapses affecting the welfare or dignity of pilgrims are noticed.
Vijay Mehra, Finance Secretary of the Organisation has also urged that, except in the rarest circumstances where absolutely unavoidable for the protection of life and public safety, peaceful pilgrims should not be subjected to lathi charge or any coercive action.
Rajan Gupta has requested that the representation be treated as Most Urgent and that immediate directions be issued to all concerned authorities for strict compliance. It has further requested that the implementation of these directions be personally monitored by senior officers of the Shrine Board on a daily basis to ensure that no pilgrim suffers due to any administrative deficiency.
Copies of videos circulating on various social media platforms, along with the corresponding web links, have been enclosed with the representation for the information of the competent authorities and for appropriate verification and necessary action.
Rajan Gupta expressed confidence that the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board will continue to uphold the highest standards of service, transparency, accountability and compassionate administration, ensuring that every devotee is able to undertake the Holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra safely, peacefully and with dignity, carrying home only sacred memories of this revered pilgrimage.
