Amarnath Yatra is a symbol of collective culture of India, J-K: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Udhampur: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said the annual Amarnath Yatra is a symbol of the collective culture of the country and Jammu and Kashmir and was not a political issue.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a public rally organised by the BJP here to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government over the past nine years, the minister, who is also the local MP, expressed confidence that a large number of devotees will join the pilgrimage this year.

"Amarnath Yatra is not a political issue. It is a symbol of collective culture of the country and Jammu and Kashmir. The Hindu devotees join the yatra in large numbers and are welcomed by Muslims of Kashmir who also made arrangements for them," the minister said.

He said the tradition needs to be further strengthened instead of playing politics over it and dividing society.

"I am fully confident that the yatra will attract pilgrims in large numbers from across the country," Singh said.

Besides the Union minister, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina and several other senior leaders, including former legislators, addressed the rally and highlighted the achievements of the Modi-led government.

Singh along with Raina released a booklet, giving a briefing on some of the major works carried out by the government in Udhampur parliamentary constituency.

The yatra to the 3,880-meter-high holy cave in south Kashmir Himalayas is scheduled to commence on July 1 from two tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.