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ARTICLE : Amarnaath Tragedy - An Enquiry
Commentary
AMARNATH TRAGEDY - AN ENQUIRY
Commentary by P. Tharyan
A.I.R., August 31, 1996
Faith can even move mountains, says the Bible. It is
the call of the mountains which attracts thousands of
people to the Amarnath Cave. There is hardly anything
which man refrains from doing in the name of faith. The
abode of Shiva is sacred to millions of people. The
annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave is a
proclamation of faith and man's devotion to God. But
the recent tragedy reveals the other side of the coin --
human failures. According to latest reports more than
200 people have died during the Yatra.
The tragedy raises quite a few valid questions. Was
it avoidable. Were adequate arrangements made for the
safety of the pilgrims. Did the authorities provide
timely relief to the pilgrims. Above all, did the State
government measure upto the tasks.
It is quite understandable that the nation has been
concerned about the tragedy and these questions have
been raised in and outside Parliament. The Union Home
Minister Mr. Inderjit Gupta, has done well to order a
comprehensive inquiry into the tragedy. Not that the
precious lives lost can be regained. The inquiry will
go a long way in ensuring that such tragedies do not
recur. The probe will throw light on the lapses of the
government, if any.
In recent years the main threat to Amarnath pilgrims
was expected from militants and the attention of the
government was focussed on checking militancy. But this
year, the trouble arose from hostile weather. Pilgrims
fell victim to nature's fury, mainly on account of heavy
snowfall along the high altitude route.
Observers are of the view that the State government
should have foreseen the problems that were likely to
confront the pilgrims. Not only food and shelter but
arrangements for proper medical care should have been
made in advance. After all more than a lakh of pilgrims
os no small number and anything untoward can happen when
they visit the mountainous terrain. No wonder, certain
political parties have blamed the government for the
death of the pilgrims. But the way in which the Army
has rushed to the aid of pilgrims tells a different
story. It is also quite commendable that the local
people have helped the pilgrims in distress and
strengthened the age old traditions of brotherhood and
communal amity.
The inquiry ordered by the Home Ministry will reveal
to what extent the government has come upto the
expectations and where it has lagged behind.
Any way, more than the government, those who arranged
the pilgrimage, should know where they have gone wrong.
Only those who are physically fit, should be allowed to
go on such difficult pilgrimage. They should also be
equipped with proper clothes to bear the severe cold. It
is easy to blame the government during such tragedies.
The pilgrims should also realise their mistakes. Only
those who are fit, should undertake trips to the
Himalays.
End of commentary by P. Tharyan from A.I.R., Delhi
Jai Maharaj <jai@mantra.com> Jyotishi, Vedic Astrologer
%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:%:% *-=Om Shanti=-* %:%:%
