"There is a serious question mark on the independent autonomous character of the Shrine Board and its decision of shortening the yatra this year to 39 days," state BJP's chief spokesperson Jitendra Singh told reporters here.
He demanded reconstitution of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) with nomination of members through a notified procedure based on guidelines in the Shrine Act and not by the prerogative of the Chairman.
As the Board enjoys administrative and financial control over the management of the yatra under Sections 16 and 18 of the Shrine Act, 2000, the Board members and the Chairman owe an explanation to people, he added.
It is strange that while the number of pilgrims is increasing each successive year, the Board finds it appropriate to further reduce the yatra duration, Singh said.
"For example, it was 60 days in 2009, 55 days in 2010, 45 days in 2011 and 39 days this year," he pointed.
Alleging that the short duration of yatra is the most important factor leading to the deaths because of the heavy rush of pilgrims, Singh said the Board became rigid about its decision on shortening the yatra despite protest against it by BJP workers.
The yatra should be kept open for a longer period of time, he demanded.
