Towards a resolution of the Amarnath controversy

The ongoing Amarnath Yatra controversy continues to threaten the peace of the collective minds of the residents of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  We are now witnessing unprecedented brinkmanship that threatens to pit Kashmiris against Jammuites, Muslims against Hindus...friends against friends.  What can be done to stop this controversy from becoming a nightmare situation that might make Narendra Modi's Gujarat look like a walk in the park?  

Let me suggest a few things that could be done to lower the temperature.  In a separate post, I will address those people who are simply not interested in a resolution of this escalating problem but are unabashedly fanning the flames of religious intolerance, hoping for a cataclysm that will rock the foundations of India's enfeebled secular identity.  They are the ones that we eventually need to tackle head on.

To the people of Jammu and Kashmir:

1. We need to instill a sense of calm and confidence and security for all.  For that, the authorities must not tolerate violence but should not use lethal measures to control unruly mobs.  Of course, it would help if people (the majority that is an unwilling accomplice in all of this) cooperate.
2. The authorities should make clear and emphasize one point: Those who want to perform the Amarnath Yatra can do so and their pilgrimage will be facilitated with provision of  shelters and other facilities.  (Note: I personally am opposed to the government's involvement in the Yatra (and other religious pilgrimages), except to provide basic services such as security. But, we are in an exceptionally turbulent time and civic leadership is in the hands of bigots everywhere).  The Yatris want to visit Amarnath and do so as comfortably as possible.  They should have that opportunity.  That is the crux of what is needed.  The Yatris have no other agenda but that.
3. The Yatra should not, as far as reasonably possible, inconvenience the local poplulation along the route to Amarnath.  The government should help ensure that right now.  One key thing for the pilgrims to realize is that they are guests in Kashmir and that the local population isn't against them (in fact, they benefit as well). However, the pilgrims have certain responsibilities too such as respect for their hosts and help with keeping the environment as pollution-free as possible.  After all, a clean environment benefits everyone.
4. The state government should set up an independent commission comprised of eminent citizens to review not only the recent controversy but the conduct of all religious pilgrimages in the state.  The commission should tender its report within 6 months and recommend ways of minimizing government interference in the conduct of all religious pilgrimages and suggest a way forward on how to make religious institutions less dependent on the government.  It will be important for such a commission to also present all the facts about government financial support to religious institutions and their activities so that we can begin to disentangle religion and government from their unhealthy embrace.
5. The bottom line is: religion is a private matter and the more the state gets involved, the more the danger to democracy and to the secular credentials of India.