Kashmiri Pandits raise concerns over cemetery discovered on Shankaracharya road

Kashmiri Pandits have flagged the discovery of a graveyard situated along the access road to Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar, expressing alarm over what they describe as its sudden appearance. The cemetery's presence has raised questions about prior awareness and documentation of the site.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration's Roads and Buildings department had sanctioned ₹44.37 lakhs in September for "improvement of Astan Aliya Syed Usman Sahib on the way to Shankaracharya road," according to official records. The project details have now come under scrutiny following the community's concerns about the graveyard.

The discovery comes amid broader sensitivities surrounding heritage sites and religious monuments in the Kashmir Valley. Shankaracharya Hill, an ancient temple complex, holds significant spiritual importance for Hindu communities, and the surrounding landscape remains subject to ongoing development and conservation discussions.

Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement addressing the community's concerns or clarifying the status and history of the cemetery. Local residents and community representatives are seeking clarity on how the site will be managed in relation to the ongoing road improvement project.