In a major initiative towards cherishing the memory of late Lieutenant General (retd) Hanut Singh, the war hero of Indo- Pak war of 1971, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat visited his sealed Ashram on Tuesday and ordered its reopening for the general public. For his focus on spiritual life after retirement from army Hanut Singh is popularly referred to as the Saint General.
He said that the Lt Gen Hanut was a great saint and warrior. The CM directed that the Shiv Yogi Maharaj Ashram, where the Hanut Singh lived till his last breath should be opened for public and his followers. He however clarified that the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun would continue to retain the ownership of the Ashram.
The Mayor of Dehradun Sunil Uniyal 'Gama' and Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi and disciple of Saint General, Nripendra Singh accompanied CM.
When contacted by The Pioneer, Nripendra Singh thanked the CM and termed the reopening of Ashram as a step in positive direction.
After dispute between the stakeholders, the Ashram of Saint General Hanut Singh was sealed by the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun on August 10, 2018.
The Municipal Corporation at that time had claimed that since the Ashram is illegally built on its property so it is sealing it. The sealed property of ‘Shiv Balyogi Ashram’ houses library and memorial of Hanut Singh. General Singh is considered as one of the finest armoured corps commanders the Indian Army ever produced and was considered an authority in modern warfare.