Srinagar, June 15: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged the people of Kashmir to view the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as an opportunity to strengthen communal harmony and counter negative narratives about the Valley and its people.
Speaking from Pahalgam, one of the key base camps for the annual pilgrimage, Mufti said every Amarnath pilgrim visiting Kashmir should be treated as a guest and an ambassador who carries back stories of the region’s people, culture and traditions to different parts of the country.
“Every Amarnath pilgrim who visits us is a guest of Kashmir. They carry the story of our land, our people and our values to every corner of India. It is our responsibility to ensure they leave with memories of our love, warmth and hospitality,” she said.
Mufti said safeguarding the Yatra should not be seen solely as the responsibility of security agencies, but as a collective duty of the people of Kashmir.
She stressed that in an atmosphere of increasing polarization and mistrust, the pilgrimage offers an opportunity to build bridges, strengthen human connections and promote mutual understanding.
According to Mufti, yatris serve as ambassadors who share their experiences of Kashmir with their families and communities after returning home. She said every interaction with pilgrims presents an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s traditions of hospitality, compassion and coexistence.
The PDP leader also said that misinformation and prejudice directed against Kashmir and Muslims can best be challenged through genuine human outreach and a heartfelt welcome to visitors.
Calling for greater local participation in the pilgrimage, Mufti said the Amarnath Yatra should be a locally supported and locally protected process that reflects the true spirit of Kashmir and its people.
The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence next month amid extensive security and logistical preparations by the administration.
