Tension have mounted in the Valley after Kashmiri Pandits decide to organise the yatra to historic Acharya Abhinavagupta cave in Beerwah area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on June 11.
Anjuman Mazharul Haq, a Muslim religious organisation from central Kashmir cautioned the Pandits against holding the Yatra saying it can harm the communal harmony since the cave was allegedly used by a Muslim saint Mian Shah Sahab for prayers.
According to the revenue records Mian Shah Sahab prayed in this cave. Muslims consider this cave as their holy place. If Pandits take law into their hands and forcibly perform prayers and yatra, it can disturb the traditional amity and communal harmony,” said Moulana Syed Abdul Lateef Bukhari, patron Anjuman Mazharul Haq.
One of the greatest mystic and philosophers, Acharya Abhinavgupt was a strong proponent of Kashmir Shavism. An author of more than 70 books, Kashmiri Pandits believe that he took Samadhi in the Beerwa cave some 1000 years ago.
Acharaya Abhinavgupt Sheshadri Samroh Samiti, which is organising the Abhinav Sandesh Yatra, however dismissed the apprehensions that the event could disturb the communal harmony in the state.
“It is a one off event and for one day only. It is not an annual pilgrimage like Amarnath yatra. We are just observing the millennial of Acharya’s Samadhi and that is it. He entered into the cave and surrendered before the God some 1,000 years ago. It was union with God,” Ajay Bharati, convener of the yatra, told dna.
Bharati said Acharya is a pride of Kashmir and he represents every Kashmiri irrespective of his or her faith. “He was scholar par excellence. Certainly we are going ahead with the yatra. Everyone in the world knows that it is Acharya’s cave. Foreign scholars have been visiting this cave for years together,” he said.
Convener of the yatra said they would be arriving here days before the yatra and would invite all the Muslims in a bid to clear misconceptions. “We do not know how many people will join the yatra. But we have given a call for all. We will invite molvi sahab as well. Acharya is known as aflatoon and we all should be proud of it. He has written 70 books some 1000 years ago and these books are still relevant today,” Bharati adds.
However, Moulana Bukhari said the organisation should understand that this cave has no historical or religious significance. “We will take to roads in case the government allows this yatra,” he said.
Annual pilgrimage
Acharaya Abhinavgupt Sheshadri Samroh Samiti, which is organising the Abhinav Sandesh Yatra, however dismissed the apprehensions that the event could disturb the communal harmony in the state.
“It is a one off event and for one day only. It is not an annual pilgrimage like Amarnath yatra. We are just observing the millennial of Acharya’s Samadhi and that is it. He entered into the cave and surrendered before the God some 1,000 years ago. It was union with God,” Ajay Bharati, convener of the yatra, told dna.
