INTERPRETING NGT DIRECTIVES

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar caused a stir by a couple of rulings that found place in its stew of order announced on Wednesday, wherein chanting of mantras and ringing of bells in the cave temple of Amarnath, was banned, declaring Shrine a 'silence zone'. It asked the Amarnath Shrine board for strict implementation of its orders. Though progressive and innocuous, some terms definitely were harsh on the religion practices and hence injuring the sentiments of the practitioners. This, for the obvious and just reasons was sure to evoke sharp acerbic reactions from Hindu groups and so it did. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was especially vocal against the directive. Even the commoners were out on streets at some places. The adversarial response impelled NGT to issue a clarification on the following day saying Amarnath is not declared a ‘silence zone’, and that silence restriction will not apply on Aarti and other rituals and that the only restriction is that devotees will maintain silence in front of Shivlinga, not in any other part. Now, since the clarification is given, the confrontation should ease. In such case, one can concentrate on the other points that are in favour of the pilgrims, that is to remove iron grills in front of the 'Shiva Linga' for better Darshans. Also, it made mandatory that there should only be a single queue of people walking towards the main cave from the last check post, to ease down the rush and chaos inside the abode of Lord Shiva, again to ensure that the pilgrims' peaceful Darshan. In fact, ruling that pilgrims would have to deposit all mobiles and belongings at the last check post, asking the shrine authorities to consider building a separate room where people could keep their belongings is also in favour of the pilgrimage, as it would reduce the deteriorating impact on the ice stalagmite forming the 'Shiva Linga'. The bench also held the Amarnath Shrine Board should ensure that proper infrastructural facilities are provided to the pilgrims so that they are not deprived of a clear 'darshan', and the ecology of the area is maintained. The religious views and sentiments and the progressive approach cannot cancel out each other. Therefore, as much as it was pertinent for NGT to ease down the rigorousness of its directives, it is requisite for everyone to welcome the regulations in order to sustain the delicate ecosystem, where the Lord resides and ensure the longevity and consistent reoccurrence of the 'Shiva Linga'. After all one cannot completely undermine the adverse consequences of unregulated encumbrance.