The disaster has raised serious questions about the Shrine Board’s decision to allow the pilgrimage to continue despite weather warnings
By PC Bureau
A devastating landslide near Ardhkuwari on the Vaishno Devi Yatra route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district has claimed the lives of at least 35 pilgrims, leaving 20 others injured and sparking outrage among grieving families and political leaders.
The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall and a cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, has raised serious questions about the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s decision to allow the pilgrimage to continue despite weather warnings forecasting heavy rains and potential cloudbursts.
Families Allege Negligence and Missing Belongings
Heartbroken relatives of the victims gathered outside the mortuary of Government Medical College hospital in Jammu, venting their anguish at the authorities. Many expressed disbelief and anger over the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s failure to suspend the yatra despite clear advisories from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and possible cloudbursts. “Why was the yatra allowed when they knew about the weather? This is negligence, and our loved ones paid the price,” said a tearful relative of a pilgrim from Rajasthan, who lost family members in the tragedy.
Adding to their grief, families alleged that personal belongings of the deceased, including jewelry, cash, and other valuables, were missing when the bodies were handed over. “We received the bodies, but their belongings were gone. This is not just a tragedy; it’s an insult to our loss,” another relative told reporters, demanding accountability from the authorities managing the pilgrimage route.
Political Storm Erupts Over Shrine Board’s Response
The tragedy has ignited a political firestorm, with Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary accusing the authorities of a “criminal conspiracy” and calling for a high-level investigation.
During an inspection of flood-affected areas in the state, Choudhary demanded answers from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
“When there was an alert for a cloudburst and heavy rainfall, why was the yatra not stopped?” he asked, referencing a prior stampede incident during Sinha’s tenure that killed 12 pilgrims in January 2022.
Choudhary went further, alleging that the 35 devotees “did not die but were killed” due to negligence, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to form a high-level committee to probe the roles of Sinha and other officials.
“Strict action should be taken, and an FIR should be registered,” he asserted, intensifying the scrutiny on the administration.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah echoed these concerns, criticizing the Shrine Board’s “apathetic approach” to the weather warnings. “We knew about the weather a few days ago. Should we not have taken steps to save those lives?” Abdullah questioned, signaling his intent to order a probe once rescue and relief operations conclude.
Lieutenant Governor Defends Actions, Cites Cloudburst
Responding to the allegations, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the incident as “very unfortunate” and attributed it to a sudden cloudburst. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after meeting the injured pilgrims, Sinha claimed the yatra had already been suspended by the time the landslide struck around noon on Tuesday. “Due to the cloudburst, several people were swept away by the waters. Many precious lives have been lost, and several others have been injured,” he said, adding that he was personally monitoring the situation and had directed the Shrine Board to provide the best possible medical care to the injured.
However, Sinha’s assertion that the yatra was suspended has been met with skepticism, as reports indicate the old trek route remained operational until 1:30 PM, well after the initial weather advisories were issued. The Himkoti trek route was closed earlier in the morning, but the decision to halt the old route came too late for the victims caught in the landslide
Katra Mourns Landslide Victims with Tributes and Protests Against Shrine Board
The town of Katra, the base camp for the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, was engulfed in grief and anger today as local residents and devotees gathered to pay tribute to the 35 pilgrims killed in a devastating landslide near Ardhkuwari on Tuesday afternoon.Hundreds of Katra residents, joined by pilgrims and relatives of the victims, assembled near the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Katra to honor the deceased. Candlelight vigils and prayer ceremonies were held, with mourners offering flowers and lighting incense in memory of those lost in the disaster. “These were devotees who came with faith in their hearts, only to lose their lives. This is a wound on Katra’s soul,” said Anil Sharma, a local shopkeeper who participated in the tribute.
However, the somber mood quickly turned to outrage as locals and affected families raised slogans against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Chants of “Shrine Board jawab do!” (Shrine Board, answer us!) and “Yatra roko, jaan bachao!” (Stop the yatra, save lives!) echoed through the streets, reflecting deep frustration with the authorities. Protesters accused the Shrine Board of ignoring India Meteorological Department (IMD) advisories that warned of heavy rainfall and potential cloudbursts, which could have prompted an earlier suspension of the pilgrimage.Locals also pointed to environmental concerns, alleging that unchecked development and deforestation in the Trikuta Hills, driven by the Shrine Board to accommodate growing pilgrim numbers, have destabilized the region’s eco-fragile slopes. “The hills are bleeding because of their greed. Trees are cut, and roads are widened, but no one cares about safety during monsoons,” said Priya Thakur, a Katra-based activist.
