Jammu, July 28: “Restoration of the traditional route of Muharram procession from Guru Bazar to Dalgate in Srinagar after a span of 34 years by Shia community coupled with record-breaking Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage and heavy influx of tourists during summers is testimony to peace dawning in Kashmir valley. This normalcy, wherein people of all faiths and communities are carrying out their social and religious obligations peacefully, was missing from the canvas of Kashmir and now that everything is falling into its right place, it is a matter of great satisfaction and pride for all,” said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K Executive Member Raman Suri on Friday.
Suri in a statement issued here said the BJP government under the “dynamic” leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre has been working hard to give the people of Jammu and Kashmir a level-playing field and is ensuring that nothing comes in between J&K’s prosperity. “This hard work has now started bearing the desired fruits. Today, people can celebrate their festivals, take out religious processions, carry out pilgrimages safely and visit remote areas of the valley as tourists while contributing to the economy of the region,” he said.
Now, when Srinagar witnessed a peaceful Muharram procession and that too on its traditional route after 34 years, the G20 meet went on successfully, tourists are continuing to arrive unabatedly and Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage is beating all previous records, governments efforts in giving people an atmosphere of peace and prosperity are clearly visible, the BJP leader said.
“The credit for all this besides massive development goes to the people who are cooperating, security forces who are guarding our borders, Jammu and Kashmir police which is instilling a sense of confidence amongst the masses and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration for initiating measures to help people come out of fear and lead a normal life,” he said.
Raman further said, “Kashmir Valley, which was dominated by strikes, stone pelting incidents and protests is today witnessing youngsters thronging to aesthetically-developed streets for shopping, taking up higher studies to achieve their goals, opening start-ups, vlogging on Kashmir’s beauty and infrastructure besides looking beyond stress and striving to make their future bright and contribute to their personal, their family’s as well as nation’s economy. This change is for good and is going to make Kashmir blink on international forums in different fields.”
“The Shia community mourners took out processions both in Kashmir as well as Jammu peacefully in their traditional way. The community members recognised LG administration’s efforts in restoring peace in the valley wherein religious processions could be taken out as per traditions and this is not only historic but a huge milestone in achieving desired results of bringing peace in the region,” he said. Suri hoped that the people will appreciate all this and keep cooperating till Kashmir witnesses its “old golden era when the world used to descend there to appreciate the geography, traditions, culture, and rich craftsmanship of artisans of the valley”.
