The Amarnath Resistance – Jammu Hindus and their fight for Sanatan Dharma

16 years ago on this day, August 31st, in 2008, two month long Amarnath Agitation came to an end with 40 hectares of land being granted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for exclusive use during the Yatra period.

Kashmir had erupted in protests starting from Ganderbal and spread to many parts of the Kashmir valley in protest against allotment of 800 kanals of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). This land was needed for the most important religious Yatra for Hindus.

In response to these communal protests Kashmir, the Hindus in Jammu region, a minority in the state, started counter protests against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and separatists.

During this agitation in Jammu region, on July 23rd, a youth Kuldeep Dogra ended his life by consuming poison at the dharna venue of Sangarsh Samiti at Parade Chowk.

On July 24th Massive anti-administration protests rocked Jammu as police attempted to cremate the body of Kuldeep Dogra before sunrise in Bishnah allegedly using liquor and tyres.

On July 29th another youth tried to consume poison in Samba.

As mass protests broke out in Jammu, curfew was imposed in many districts and towns of Jammu region – Jammu, Samba, Rajouri, Udhampur, Bhaderwah.

On August 4, 2 were killed and 18 are injured in police firing at Samba town. On Aug 6, Army opens fire at Palli, Kathua killing one protester.

On Aug 9, 2 killed and 80 are injured as communal violence erupts in Kishtwar. On Aug 14, a retired doctor in Hiranagar ends his life on the 23rd day of successive bandh.

Between Aug 18-20, 3 day Jail Bharo Andolan of the Sangharsh Samiti drew a massive response with more than 200,000 people including women and children offered court arrest. As things escalated violence broke out at Janipura, Rehari, Akhnoor and Gandhi Nagar on the last day of Jail Bharo Andolan.

On Aug 24, another youth attempted suicide in Bishnah in support of agitation.

It is only after two long months and four rounds of talks that the government panel constituted for resolving this issue and the Sangharsh Samiti reached an agreement and the agitation was called off.

Jammu Region made supreme sacrifices in their protest against the withdrawal of the allotment of 800 kanals forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

We remember and salute the courage and resistance of the Hindus of Jammu Region for upholding their right to practice their Hindu faith.