Dy CM J&K Demands Action After Shrine Board CEO Fails to Stop Yatra, 35 Lives Lost

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has strongly criticized the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for not stopping the Vaishno Devi Yatra despite weather warnings, leading to a tragic landslide that claimed 35 lives. Speaking on August 29, 2025, Choudhary called it the CEO’s duty to ensure pilgrim safety and demanded immediate action against those responsible for the negligence.

On August 27, 2025, a deadly landslide struck near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, killing 35 pilgrims and injuring several others. Heavy rainfall, which had been forecasted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), triggered the disaster. The Shrine Board, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, continued the yatra despite the warnings, a decision that Choudhary labeled as a “failure of duty.” The incident has left families devastated and raised serious questions about safety measures.

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Choudhary pointed out that the Shrine Board had prior knowledge of the adverse weather conditions but did not act to suspend the pilgrimage. He questioned why the yatra wasn’t halted, especially when Jammu and other areas were already facing floods and rain-related issues.

The loss of 35 lives has shocked the people of Jammu and Kashmir and sparked outrage over the lack of preventive action. The Deputy CM stressed that the Shrine Board’s primary responsibility is to protect pilgrims, not just manage the yatra. He argued that stopping the pilgrimage could have saved lives, and the failure to do so shows a serious lapse in judgment.

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Choudhary has called for a high-level probe to investigate the roles of the Shrine Board CEO and other officials involved in managing the yatra. He suggested that the Union Home Minister should form a committee to examine the negligence and ensure those at fault face consequences. The Deputy CM also criticized the Lieutenant Governor for being absent from J&K during the crisis, questioning his leadership during this critical time.

The J&K Government has expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also raised concerns about the decision to continue the yatra. The administration is now working on relief efforts, but the focus remains on holding those responsible accountable.

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As rescue operations continue and the death toll is confirmed, the people of J&K are demanding answers. The ValleyVibes.online team urges the Shrine Board to improve safety protocols and ensure such incidents don’t happen again. We will keep you updated on the investigation and any actions taken against the officials involved.