To the uninformed, the essence of the dispute seems to be over 40 acres of land. But the social, cultural and political stability of Jammu and Kashmir lies in the balance as tensions spiral in Jammu and the Kashmir Valley over the Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage).
What was in the beginning a dispute over the Amarnath shrine and the task of managing the pilgrimage for Hindu devotees has now divided the state along communal lines.
Most issues in Kashmir, especially when they attain a political or religious tone, are sensitive. The Amarnath yatra is a case in point. Seen as a pilgrimage by the Hindus it is, in reality, a lot more than that.
It symbolises the age-old synergy between the Hindu and Muslim communities that make up the rich fabric of this state. People from both communities must strive to maintain the sanctity of this exercise.
The Indian government must be pro-active and convince both communities that extremist positions need to be abandoned and that dialogue is the need of the hour. More importantly, they need to be fair but firm in their dealings.
Unnecessary lives are being lost in daily violence as riots, roadblocks and an economic blockade disrupting trade is hindering the day-to-day existence of regular citizens.
There should be no room whatsoever for extremists from the Hindu and Muslim communities to set the tone for discussions, thereby inciting communal passions, which has already exacted a heavy toll in human life.
Neither should the problem become an excuse for any political party, both at the state and the centre, to gain leverage and divert from the main issue at hand, which is simply to allow the devotees to continue with their worship and for the custodians of the shrine to facilitate it. That is the simple solution.
