Jammu, Mar 29: Manish Sahni, President of the Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu-Kashmir unit, on Saturday expressed grave concerns about the “threat” to Jammu’s religious tourism following government actions he claims are designed to limit access to the region’s sacred sites.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state central office, Sahni said the recent restriction of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra to Katra represents a deliberate attack on the economic backbone of Jammu, which relies heavily on income from religious devotees.
He said, “After limiting the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra, preparations are now underway to snatch the annual Holy Amarnath Yatra from Jammu.” He accused the government of systematically undermining the region’s economy by making it difficult for devotees to access key religious sites.
“Before 2014, the government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised to send only a limited number of trains to Katra in response to local business protests. However, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, the number of direct train services to Katra has significantly increased, adversely affecting Jammu’s local businesses,” he said.
According to Sahni, the completion of the Amarnath Yatra is similarly being compromised, as efforts are made to establish the main base camp in Srinagar’s Panthachowk instead of Jammu.
“Despite two foundation stone ceremonies for the Amarnath Yatra Base Camp in Jammu occurring in 2021 and 2023, no further progress has been made on the project. This is part of a broader strategy to exclude Jammu from the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, diverting religious tourists directly to Kashmir,” he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader added, “All businesses related to religious tourism, including hotels, lounges, and taxi services in Jammu, are facing a severe economic recession. While I support development, I cannot stand by and watch as Jammu is ruined. Plans must be made to revitalise our economy.”
