BJP submits memorandum to Chidambaram on Amarnath pilgrim deaths

New Delhi, July 24 (ANI): A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation today met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and submitted a memorandum over increasing devotees' death en-route to the Amarnath shrine.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, led the delegation to the Union Home Minister.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government over the deaths of pilgrims and said this has happened due to lack of proper facilities during the pilgrimage.

"The road condition was pathetic. There were very inadequate base camp facilities, hardly any medical facilities extended to the pilgrims. .... the substance of the whole thing is you have reduced the time, pilgrims are in a great rush to come and take the darshan, which used to happen in 90 days," said Sitharaman.

Now the period has been reduced to just 30-35 days, and as a result of this they have to rush. Sitharaman said poor facility is being given by the Jammu and Kashmir tourism and shrine board people.

The Supreme Court had recently expressed its discomfort over the rise in the number of deaths of pilgrims during this year's pilgrimage. It rose to 97 as per latest statistics.

Thousands of pilgrims undertake the journey to the ice Shivalingam at the Amarnath cave located inside a snow-capped mountain in the Himalayas.

The pilgrimage takes place in the summer months between July and August.

Such is the faith of the devout Hindus that despite the harsh environment and inclement weather, record number of pilgrims register for the holy trek, each passing year. (ANI)