Amarnath yatra a golden chance to show 'Kashmiriyat': Mehbooba to party workers

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. File Photo/PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday urged party workers to support the upcoming annual Amaranth Yatra, calling the pilgrimage a "golden chance" to remind the country of Kashmiriyat.

"We had invited office bearers of the party from Anantnag district in south Kashmir and Ganderbal to direct our workers and activists to support the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The yatris are our guests, there should not be any lack in taking care of them as it is our tradition," Mufti told reporters in Srinagar after a party meeting.

She said when attempts are being made across the country to "communalise" the Hindu-Muslim ties, the valley has remained the place that has constantly sent a message of brotherhood to the country.

"Today, this yatra is a golden chance for us to remind the whole country once again of the Kashmiriyat. I appeal to all my party workers to make this yatra successful, welcome the yatris and help them in every way," she said.

In her interaction, the former chief minister stressed the importance of her decision, coming at a time, when "shops of Muslims are being demolished and they are being evicted from their homes in Uttarakhand and lynched in the name of religion."

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She also appealed the government not to cause any inconvenience to the local population as they help the yatris.

"While facilitating the yatra, or while providing them facilities during their movement, there should not be any inconvenience to the locals who are the real hosts of this yatra.

"Last year, we saw that many patients could not reach hospitals, some pregnant women delivered babies on roads. So, I appeal to the government that there should not be any inconvenience to the locals," she said. (With inputs from PTI)