A day after terrorists opened fire on pilgrims going to Amarnath, killing seven of them, the act of violence has reportedly not deterred the believers.
"Bhole baba bula rahein hain, toh hum jaa rahen hain. Unki ichcha hai (God is calling us, so we are going. It's his wish)," a pilgrim told Indian Express at a pilgrim rest stop in Jammu late Tuesday night. "If he doesn't want us to go, he will stop us."
Pilgrims told the newspaper that they were confident of the security measures undertaken by the government and were not afraid. Most argued that the pilgrims attacked on Monday night were unregistered with the government and did not have security cover, making them vulnerable to an attack.
"We are determined to go for the yatra," another pilgrim told NDTV. "The terrorists can do anything to try to scare us but we know that the security arrangement is solid."
The annual pilgrimage attracts people from different parts of the country. Despite reports of the terror attack on Monday night, a fresh batch of pilgrims left for Amarnath on Tuesday evening.
Bend It Like Our Netas
(01 of11)
Open Image ModalPrime Minister Narendra Modi has spearheaded the campaign on the benefits of yoga. This year he was in Lucknow, leading an International Yoga day event. Today he tweeted urging everyone to practice yoga saying, "In addition to fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness.I urge everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives." (credit:Twitter/All India Radio)
(02 of11)
Open Image ModalYogi Adityanath was in Lucknow as well, here he is seen doing some tough yoga moves. (credit:Twitter/myyogiadityanath)
(03 of11)
Open Image ModalUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had broken the internet with his workout photos. And today he took to Twitter to show that he can bust some yoga poses too. (credit:Twitter/Kiren Rijiju)
(04 of11)
Open Image ModalUnion Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu was seen leading a group of people in New Delhi's Connaught Place. (credit:Twitter/Venkaiah Naidu)
(05 of11)
Open Image ModalBJP President Amit Shah celebrated International Yoga Day with Baba Ramdev and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Ahmedabad. And given it was Baba Ramdev who was leading the event, it is possible that they may have had quite a tough session. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(06 of11)
Open Image ModalRailway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were seen meditating at an event in Mumbai. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(07 of11)
Open Image ModalThe tree pose is not everyones cup of tea, but here are Union Minister of Ministry of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar along with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh mastering it at an eventin Imphal. (credit:Twitter/Prakash Javadekar)
(08 of11)
Open Image Modal (credit:Twitter/Ravi Shankar Prasad)
(09 of11)
Open Image ModalFormer ministers and now Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was at an auditorium in Goa's Bambolim. (credit:Twitter/All India Radio News)
(10 of11)
Open Image ModalMadhya Pradesh Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was at an event in Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground leading a group of people. (credit:Twitter/ANI)
(11 of11)
Open Image ModalManeka Gandhi celebrated International Yoga Day, a couple of days ago with anganwadi children in New Delhi. The children seem to be following the minister quite well. (credit:Twitter/MIB_India)