Fresh controversy over Amarnath yatra CD shows people tampering with Shiv Lingam
Srinagar: A new religious controversy surrounding the annual two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage has erupted with the surfacing of compact disc (CD) showing some people, including security personnel, tampering with the ice 'Shivalingam' when it was fully formed several days ahead of its official commencement. Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha, blamed the state government and the security agencies for the lapse. A private TV channel was in possession of the CD which shows several people, including security personnel, tampering with the ice 'Shivalingam%u2019 (phallus shaped stalagmite of Lord Shiva) and drinking the holy water. The channel claimed that the CDs were filmed by a pilgrim from Punjab several days ahead of the official commencement of Amarnath pilgrimage, scheduled for June 30. It said the pilgrim had bribed the officials so that he was allowed to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine. The channel claimed that there was a network of 'dalals' (intermediaries) who take money and allow the devotees to enter the holy cave shrine and touch the %u2018Shivalingam%u2019. Meanwhile SASB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Arun Kumar while talking to a news agency held the state government and the security agencies responsible for the alleged tampering of the %u2018Shivalingam%u2019. %u201CIf the CDs are genuine, the responsibility lies with the state govern
