Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 27: Seeking free registration of Shri Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Jammu-Kashmir unit along with Hindu organisations and Sant Samaj today staged a protest here at Jantar Mantar.
Under the leadership of party’s J&K chief, Manish Sahni and Swami Rajeshwaranand Maharaj from the Sant Samaj along with Mahant Deen Bandhu Das, Kotwal Mahant Mangal Das, hundreds of Shiv Sainiks holding placards demanding “free registration for Amarnath pilgrims, toll free yatra , security of Him Shivling to be ensured during the pilgrimage and all free facilities be provided to Sadhus and saints.
Sahni in his address said that Shri Amarnath Yatra registration fee has been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 220 during the rule of the BJP Government which claims to be pro Hindu. He said that the collection of money in the name of registration on Hindu pilgrims reminds of Jaziya collection from Hindus during the Mughal rule.
Sahni said that he has submitted a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the State Chief Secretary and the Union Home Minister but unfortunately there was no positive response from anywhere. This has forced the Sena to protest at Jantar Mantar today and until the demands are not fulfilled, this phase of protest will continue.