Jammu, Apr 29: Taking direct confrontation with the State Government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said it would commence this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra as per the “traditional calendar” instead of the schedule announced by the Board headed by the Governor, N N Vohra.
 “Who is Governor to decide dates for the Yatra? It is none of his business. The matter should be left to Hindu priests to decide. It is total interference in the religious issue, which will not be tolerated”, VHP international general secretary, Pravin Togadia told media persons here.
 He said VHP would fan in its one lakh activist from across the country to provide security to the Yatris during the Yatra, if Government failed to provide the same.
 “If yatra duration has been curtailed due to the security reasons we are ready to take security measures ourselves”, he added.
 He said his party would commence this year’s yatra from June 15 instead of June 29, the date announced by the government for its beginning.
 He said SASB had been established to provide and make arrangements for the smooth conduct of Yatra, but it had no right to interfere in religious matter.
 “If Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has no problem in providing security to the Yatris why the Governor N N Vohra is creating hurdles”, he asked. “He (Governor) should not play with the sentiments of Yatris”, he said. 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST