The Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Mr N N Vohra, has been quoted by a newspaper as having proposed the inclusion of a Muslim in the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB).

Not any ordinary Muslim, for sure, but a member of the Malik family (a Muslim shepherd by the name of Buta Malik is believed to have discovered or is it re-discovered the cave in 1850 A.D.) on the reconstituted board.

At any other time, Mr Vohra’s comment or offer or proposal would have perhaps found some takers across the nation. However, coming as it does as at a very volatile time, when a fierce counter-agitation is on in Jammu, there is likelihood of this proposal actually adding fuel to the fire.

How?

By the way, followers of all religions, across India, are free to form their own associations or boards or trusts (call them by what name you would like) to run their respective affairs. Within the religions, the followers of different sects also follow their own rituals and don’t include the followers of other sects, leave aside other religions, into their boards.

Any suggestion to act otherwise is not condoned and leads to a violent reaction. For example, the Sikhs have their own Gurudwara Prabandhak boards (of different descriptions), the Muslims have their own Wakf boards (Shias and Sunnis have different boards). The Christians, be they Protestants or Catholics, have their own separate sets of convents and religious bodies to run their affairs.

Sikhs don’t have any non-Sikhs in their religious bodies. Even those who follow the Sikh religious scriptures faithfully, but remain Sahajdharis (cut their hair), are not allowed to sing Shabad-Kirtan at Shri Harminder Sahib, the supreme seat of Sikh religion.

This honour is reserved for the Sikhs who stick to the five Maryadas (Kesh, Kadha, Kachha, Kangha and Kirpan) as laid down in the religion.

It is for this reason that Bhai Chaman Lal (of Delhi), one of the best known Shabad-Kirtan singers (or Ragi, if you like) grew a beard, grew hair and waited for several years to become eligible to sing/perform at Harminder Sahib!

As far as Muslims are concerned, no non-Muslim can become a member of any Wakf or other board dealing with their religious practices.
The Muslim world is divided between SHIAS and SUNNIS and the members of one sect are not included in the religious bodies of the other sect.

The Shia and Sunni boards thus run their affairs, independently, of one another.

Among Christians, the divide is clear when it comes to the Protestants and the Catholics.

The two sects don’t interfere in one another’s affairs even when they pursue the same religion.

GIVEN ALL THIS, how is it that Mr Vohra proposes that a Muslim can be included in running the affairs of a Hindu shrine, Amarnath? Just because he happens to be the chairman of the SASB, does it give him an absolute right to appoint anyone, including a non-Hindu, to the board?

Even if Mr Vohra’s proposal is very well-meaning, it can actually add fuel to the fire and not help cool the tempers.

There are no easy options available to Mr Vohra to quell the fires in Jammu, as also Kashmir, but it would be better if he were to steer clear of proposing things that can prove incendiary.