The attack on Amarnath pilgrims at Botengo in Anantnag district has come at one of the most turbulent times in Kashmir―the rise in the separatist sentiment, resentment over the imposition of GST and a renewed offensive against militants by security forces after a year-long uprising was triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani last July.
Yet, condemnation against the atrocity has been unequivocal from all sections of the society. The outrage in Kashmir against the murder of seven pilgrims has also helped nip the chances of stoking communal tensions in the state.
Many believe the courage of the Muslim driver, Salim, who steered the bus to safety in the face of indiscriminate firing, has also helped to calm down tempers outside Kashmir.
On July 11, Khurram Parvez and Parvez Imroz, two noted civil rights activists of Kashmir, addressed a civil society gathering in Srinagar's Pratap Park and condemned the killings of innocent pilgrims. Khurram called the killing of pilgrims “barbaric and gruesome”.
“Kashmiris have always condemned such killings. The UNHRC should be allowed to probe all mysterious killings that occurred in Kashmir, including at Nadimarg and Chattisinghpora as the country's agencies have failed to investigate such killings,” Khurram said.
The representatives of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Yasin Khan, also spoke on the occasion. Khan expressed his sympathy with the families of the deceased. The KCCI also took out a protest march and demanded a probe into the attack and punishment for the killers.
On July 12, to in a show of solidarity with the Amarnath pilgrims, an hour-long shutdown was observed in Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual yatra while local cab drivers held a protest demonstration.
Shopkeepers and hoteliers closed business in the morning in Pahalgam and vehicular traffic also came to a halt. Members of the taxi drivers association held a protest demonstration. Some of them were carrying black flags and demanded an impartial probe into the atrocity
“In this hour of grief, we stand by our yatri brothers and the victim's families,” said Mohammad Rafiq, a taxi owner who ferries pilgrims to Chandanwari from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam. Calling pilgrims as “our guests”, Rafiq said their trust cannot be betrayed.
In 1996, when flash floods hit the yatra route, the residents of Pahalgam had welcomed the pilgrims into their homes. Recently, locals in Pahalgam helped pilgrims, who were injured after a cooking gas cylinder burst.
In Anantnag, members of South Kashmir Civil Society (SKCS) also organised a protest march at Lal Chowk against the killing of the pilgrims. In a statement, the civil society members called the attack “inhuman”.
“SKCS not only condemns the attack of yatris, but also believes the attack is an assault on the cultural ethos of Kashmir and we ask for an impartial probe into all civilian killings since 1989 by a judicial commission,” the SKCS said in a statement.
Following the fall in footprint of tourists in Kashmir due to the uprising, the pilgrimage provides a good source of income for many people such as transport service providers, hoteliers, and artisans. Though yatris don't spend much, it helps revive the spirit of welcoming guests in Kashmir.
Tariq Patloo, a houseboat and resort owner and Dal lake conservationist, said he was pained at the killing of the pilgrims. “They are guests and we feel sorry for what has happened to them this year,” he said. “We can do without business, but we will not accept killing unsuspecting people who visit Kashmir.”
Under pressure from the government, the separatist Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Yasin Malik also hailed people for condemning the killing of pilgrims. In a statement, the separatists said: “This should serve as an eye-opener to those who encourage polarisation as a political tool, leave no stone unturned to demonise people through media and crush them by the use of force for their just political aspirations.”
Condemnation has also poured in massively from the supporters of the separatist cause in Kashmir on social media. Most have condemned the attack and termed it an attempt to polarise the society and malign the Kashmir cause.
