Describing the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as an opportunity to defeat the hate and mistrust that has been spread about Kashmir and Muslims across the country, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the people to counter the negative perceptions by showcasing the valley’s traditions of hospitality, compassion and communal harmony and warmly welcoming the pilgrims.
Mehbooba made the appeal while addressing the local stakeholders at Pahalgam, which is one of the main base camps for the pilgrimage.
Mehbooba called upon the people of Kashmir that “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. This is how we defend the soul of Kashmir and counter the false narratives built against Muslims.”
“Safeguarding the Yatra is not merely the responsibility of security agencies, it is our collective duty,” said Mehbooba.
Calling upon the people of Kashmir, she urged a peaceful people’s initiative to ensure every Yatri (pilgrim) feels welcomed, respected, and protected. “If every Yatri leaves with a positive experience, they will carry the true story of Kashmir to every corner of India, a story of warmth, humanity, coexistence, and the enduring spirit of our people,” she said
She urged the people to uphold Kashmir’s tradition of hospitality, compassion, and communal harmony by extending every possible support to the pilgrims.
She said protecting the Yatra is not just the responsibility of the security forces, it is a collective duty of the people of Kashmir. “In times of growing hate and polarisation, the Yatra should become an opportunity to build harmony, strengthen human connections, and bridge divides across India”.
“Yatris are ambassadors who carry their experience of Kashmir back to their homes and communities. Every interaction is an opportunity to showcase Kashmir’s traditions of hospitality, compassion, and coexistence. The misinformation and prejudice directed against Kashmir and Muslims can best be challenged through genuine human outreach and a heartfelt welcome to every pilgrim”.
“The Yatra should be a locally protected, locally supported, and locally owned process that reflects the true spirit of Kashmir and its people”, she said.
“The Amarnath Yatra is more than a pilgrimage, it’s a statement of coexistence. If every yatri leaves feeling welcomed and protected, they will carry the true story of Kashmir to every corner of India. As it begins, Pahalgam welcomes Yatris not just with security, but with warmth. Every devotee walking this sacred path carries forward the message of compassion, coexistence and resilience”, she said.
“Every successful yatra is a triumph of harmony over hate”, Mehbooba added.