JAMMU, MAY 29: The crisis over the start of Amarnath Yatra deepened with the Vishva Hindu Parishad sticking to its stand of starting the annual pilgrimage from June 3.
 A top VHP leader today stated that Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) senior leader Uma Bharti will lead a contingent of devotees to the cave on June 3.
  “Recently Shankaracharya Vasudevanandji Maharaj had visited Jammu and specifically instructed that the Yatra should start from Jyesht Purnima and run it for at least 60 days. But the (Shri Amarnath Shrine) Board did not adhere to his instructions,” VHP national secretary Surinder Mohan Jain said.
 “Sadhus led by Uma Bharti will reach Jammu on June 2 and then leave for the Amarnath shrine in the morning next day, so that they can reach there on Jyesht Purnima and perform pooja there. The Yatra will start from six places in Jammu and the heads of various akharaas will lead the different groups,” Jain said.
 The SASB had earlier set June 25 as the date for the commencement of the Yatra. “However, there was a deliberate attempt to reduce the duration of the pilgrimage. The date for the Yatra was decided in October last year. They did not take anybody into confidence before setting the date and later on forced the committee members to agree upon the date,” Jain said.
 “There was a deliberate conspiracy to hurt the sentiments of the devotees. It is very unfortunate. Earlier the Government was not willing to extend the Yatra and now when they are ready, the Board is not ready to enhance its duration,” Jain said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 IST