Sonamarg, Jun 18: Amid the huge tourist arrival and ahead of the annual AmarnathYatra, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President MehboobaMuti on Thursday urged people of Kashmir to use the yatra as an opportunity to build harmony.
The former chief minister said tourists and AmarnathYatris visiting Kashmir should go back as “ambassadors of peace” and share the real, welcoming face of Kashmir with rest of the country.
She made the remarks while interacting with a group of stakeholders and locals including representatives of Pony Association, Beopar Mandal, and Tour and Travel Guide Association in Sonamarg tourist destination.
Mehbooba said that in times of growing hate and polarisation, AmarnathYatra was an opportunity to defeat hate and mistrust.
“I came to Sonamarg today to talk to the people here about the upcoming AmarnathYatra. I requested them to make the yatra as successful as possible and serve the yatris as much as they can,” she said.
Asserting that the people of Kashmir had always supported the annual yatra, the PDP chief pointed out that a lot of “hatred” was spread throughout the country against Muslims, especially Kashmiris.
Hence, she said, the yatra should be seen as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of trust, understanding, and shared belonging between Kashmir and the rest of the country. The former chief minister said the yatris should leave Kashmir happy and satisfied.
“Kashmir was always known for its hospitality, compassion, and respect for guests. Kashmiris, especially people living in areas like Sonamarg and Pahalgam, have always welcomed visitors with warmth and dignity. This spirit of Kashmiriyat is our greatest strength and our biggest message to the world,” she said.
Mehbooa said the narrative about Kashmir needs to change.
“Tourists come here with some fear in their minds. But when they meet our people, taste our food, see our hospitality, they leave with love. That love should travel with them,” she said. “Every tourist who returns home is an ambassador. Kashmiris are warm, and this land deserves peace, not conflict.”
Mehboobaemphasised that Kashmir’s hospitality, kindness, and compassion should serve as a response to prejudice and mistrust.
She urged people to warmly welcome yatris and ensure that every visitor leaves the Valley with positive memories and a deeper understanding of Kashmiri culture and tradition.
“The yatra is an opportunity for us to connect with people from across the country. Our hospitality, kindness, and compassion should be our answer to prejudice and mistrust,” she said.
The former chief minister said that yatris may well become ambassadors who carry their experience of Jammu and Kashmir back to their homes and communities.
She said the “misinformation and prejudice” directed against J&K could best be challenged through genuine human outreach and a heartfelt welcome to every yatri.
She also urged the administration to improve facilities, cleanliness, and safety for visitors at places like Sonamarg so that tourists leave with only good memories.
The PDP President also voiced concern over the hardships faced by locals, alleging that the registration and verification process for the AmarnathYatra had become cumbersome.
She said many locals who invested lakhs of rupees in preparations for the yatra season had not been granted permission to operate at the Baltal base camp.
Mehbooba also opposed the proposed cable car project in Sonamarg, warning that it could adversely affect the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on tourism. She urged the administration to consider an alternative location for the project and highlighted the continued closure of trekking destinations following the Pahalgam incident.
