On the death anniversary of the Kashmiri militant leader, Burhan Wani, there was a terror attack killing seven and injuring many among Amarnath pilgrims from Gujarat. Admittedly, whenever there is a loophole in the security arrangements, the blame for such an outrage always falls on terrorists. A security blanket was spread over Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Wani’s death anniversary. Terrorists however tore the blanket to shreds. The pilgrims to Amarnath were killed for a special reason. Such incidents have happened before but only infrequently. Both people and leaders of J&K condemned it. The J&K economy is dependent on the pilgrimage to Amarnath. The attack on worshippers of Shiva went against Kashmiriyat which advocates syncretism among religions. Of course, pilgrims to Amarnath have never been completely safe. But it was only when cross-border terrorism from Pakistan came to the aid of Kashmiri militancy that pilgrims became casualties. But now militancy in Kashmir has acquired a religious context. There are even adherents of a Kashmiri Caliphate. The attack on the pilgrims this time may have been inspired by communal hatred.
The emphasis on Kashmiriyat and social harmony should be reaffirmed. The J&K chief minister and even separatist leaders are stressing the importance of such a mindset. On the other hand, the RSS in Kashmir is getting increasingly aggressive. It should realise that creating communal discord will strengthen the hands of terrorists. The IS is at work and spreading poison all over India.