Amarnath yatra 2025 in Kashmir: A burden for locals
The annual Amarnath Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to the ice formations in Pahalgam's caves, is scheduled to commence in July 2025. In preparation, the Government of India (GOI) has implemented stringent multi-layered security measures, including AI surveillance, drone monitoring, and extensive troop deployments along the routes . While historically, Kashmiri communities welcomed and assisted pilgrims , recent policies have fueled tensions.
Critics argue that the BJP-led government uses the Yatra to marginalize Kashmiri Muslims. Security protocols require Hindu pilgrim convoys to travel with armed escorts, halting all local traffic during their movement. This disrupts daily life, preventing Kashmiri commuters from reaching workplaces, schools, or hospitals on time . Videos of stranded locals—often shared by pilgrims on social media—portray these restrictions as victories for BJP policies, further alienating residents .
Politicians like Mehbooba Mufti have condemned these practices, emphasizing that Kashmir's stability requires nationwide solidarity, not divisive tactics. Despite appeals, the central government has not addressed these concerns substantively. Concurrent regional issues—such as Haryana suspending bus services to J&K amid India-Pakistan tensions—compound civilian hardships, deepening perceptions of systemic neglect.
Mostly locals are stopped for 10 to 15 minutes even when a single bus carrying pilgrims. Thus adding more frustration to the locals, and adding more suffering to people. They locals in Kashmir now started saying bad things for such type of security measures. In 2025 MP. Agha Rohullah once again in parliament Session raised question about this. He called this process of endorsing slavery concept in kashmir and GOI is treating People of Kashmir as slaves. He was praised by the local people, Rohullah has courage to speak against the tyrant forces inside the Parliament.
People expected that after this parliament speech there will be ease for them but as expected more restrictions were added to this process. Thus suffering continues.
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