The Amarnath land row started after Government of India decided revoke the transfer deeds for about 40 hectares of land to Amarnath Shrine Board. Why did it have to revoke and rekindle a highly religious sensitive chord?

Amarnath Shrine Board wants the land to build infrastructure for the hindu pilgrims who visit the temple in large numbers every year. The land they are demanding is in muslim dominated part of Kashmir in the Jammu and Kashmir, the most troubled state of India for more than a decade. The separatists, militants, Indian troops, Indian government, Pakistan government, local political leaders, separatists leaders, the faction leaders are in a deadlock over future of J&K for many years.

Government of India suddenly offered this live bomb- the 40 hectares land transfer issue on a platter for all the groups. Obviously Hurriyat (the muslim separatists group and its faction) stalled the move and has given a larger call for Independence and BJP wanting to surge ahead in national politics have also scooped up the issue. In short they all have made it a larger than 40 hectares issue.

What happens to common man? They are getting swayed and polarized by sentiments on both sides. Normal life stands suspended. The region is highly volatile. Both lurking militants and watchful army are in a trigger ready mode.

At the end of the day, it’ll be pious pilgrims who’ll have give up the hope of visiting the Amarnath Shrine in near future. The Amarnath Yatra which is an annual pilgrimage has its own economic importance for the locals in the region. Already for more than a decade J&K has been out of bounds for tourists. There has been no development in the state.

They say Hurriyat has second generation leaders who have picked up the baton now. So much Time has flowed over the issue. Why do our governments love to sit on problems and deny future generations a normal childhood and normal life?