BJP Legislators Applaud Omar Abdullah's Amarnath Yatra Budget Initiative
In the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members consistently challenge the Omar Abdullah-led government on various issues. However, in a notable departure from this adversarial stance, several BJP MLAs publicly commended the Chief Minister on Friday for his substantial budgetary allocation dedicated to the annual Amarnath Yatra.
Praise for a "Positive Step" in Changing Times
Pawan Gupta, the BJP MLA representing Udhampur West, expressed strong approval for the government's decision. "Our Chief Minister's move to allocate Rs 180 crore for the Amarnath Yatra is a positive step," Gupta stated. He emphasized that this action "reflects the changing times in Jammu and Kashmir."
Gupta connected the budgetary allocation to a broader political and social transformation within the region. "What we want at the end of the day is that Kashmir should join the mainstream, and slowly that is happening," he explained. "In this Assembly, today you hear legislators saying they are proud Indians. Earlier, we mostly heard about special status."
The MLA clarified that while the BJP remains critical of the government on numerous fronts, it is essential to acknowledge constructive and beneficial decisions when they are made.
Details of the Budgetary Commitment
During his budget speech the previous week, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his administration's deep commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and spiritual fulfillment of pilgrims visiting the holy Amarnath cave shrine. He announced a proposal to "further modernize pilgrimage infrastructure with an outlay of Rs 180 crore during the 2026-27 fiscal year."
This initiative, to be undertaken in partnership with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), aims to:
- Improve road connectivity to the shrine
- Enhance emergency response systems for pilgrim safety
- Strengthen logistical support throughout the yatra
Abdullah asserted that these measures would ensure the pilgrimage becomes safer, smoother, and more dignified for all devotees undertaking the journey.
Acknowledging a Shift in Stance
MLA Pawan Gupta highlighted that the Chief Minister's current supportive position on the Amarnath pilgrimage represents a significant evolution from his past views. "Earlier, Omar Abdullah had different opinions about the yatra, but now his views have changed," Gupta noted. "As an Indian, it is my duty to appreciate this change."
This sentiment was echoed by fellow BJP legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia, who also appreciated the shift in the Chief Minister's approach. In the Assembly, Mankotia recalled Omar Abdullah's opposition to similar measures during the 2008 agitation, when the CM had famously stated that "not an inch of land would be given" for such purposes.
Praise Amidst Political Tensions
The commendation from BJP members came amidst ongoing political friction. Notably, another BJP MLA, Vikram Randhawa from the Bahu constituency, had earlier the same day caused a disturbance in the Assembly by alleging illegal settlements by Kashmiris on land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority. Despite this confrontation, Randhawa also praised the Chief Minister for the budgetary allocation dedicated to the Amarnath Yatra, underscoring the bipartisan recognition of the initiative's importance.
This rare praise from opposition legislators underscores the symbolic and practical significance of the Rs 180 crore allocation, viewed by many as a step toward greater integration and improved infrastructure for one of India's most revered pilgrimages.
