JKHC dismisses petition on Amarnath ice-lingam controversy

Srinagar, Jun 7 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has dismissed for want of evidence a writ petition seeking directions against the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) for alleged tampering and raising of artificial ice 'Shivalingam' (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) at the holy cave shrine last year.

The court also directed the Board to take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard the 'lingam'.

In his petition, Jagdish Chander Sharma had prayed that the SASB be told not to interfere with the original shape of emblems of Lord Shiva, including the holy cave, a pair of pigeons and the 'lingam'.

The petitioner, through his counsel M M Iqbal, sought directions to the Board not to raise artificial emblem, including the 'lingam', in future even if it is not formed naturally.

In response to the petition, the SASB submitted that no tampering had taken place with the natural formation of 'Shivalingam' and said it had left no stone unturned to ensure protection of the ice 'lingam' and the pigeons.

To a submission seeking directions for initiation of prosecution against the SASB for alleged desecration of the 'lingam', Justice Nissar Ahmad Kakroo said this gave rise to a very ''delicate and sensitive'' question whether the holy 'lingam' was tampered with.

The petitioner had leveled allegations on the basis of media reports suggesting that the 'lingam' had been tampered with and then raised artificially, a charge denied by the Board.

The counsels for the Board, however, admitted that dry ice was brought from Delhi to lower the temperature in the holy cave on the advice of experts and not to form an artificial 'lingam'.

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