An atmosphere of nationalism sweeping through the country in the aftermath of the dastardly Pulwama suicide bomb attack, killing over 40 CRPF personnel, the priest community based in the holy city Haridwar has declared that the members would not accept any dakshina or any form of offering from the family members of the martyrs while they come here to do the last rites. The priest community further said that they would also arrange free accommodation during their stay. Not just that, the nears ones of the martyrs would be provided food free of cost. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the martyr Hemraj Meena from Rajasthan were immersed in Ganga in accordance with the Vedic rituals at Brahmkund here on Wednesday. The son of martyr Ajay Meena and nephew Monu Meena came to perform the last rites.
Teerth Purohit Ujjwal Pandit said while talking to The Pioneer that they have started to implement the resolution from Wednesday when they presided over the last rites of the Pulwama martyr Hemraj Meena from Rajasthan. “The priest who has performed the ritual has not taken any dakshina or anything in return of the rituals he assisted in. The family members of the martyr came here a day before, carrying the urn. The priests paid the entire expense incurred for their lodging and fooding in the holy city,” he added.
Expressing anguish over the dastardly killing spree being perpetrated by the terrorists in full support from Pakistan, the priest said that the priest community members are surging with anger like the rest of the nation. “The priests of Haridwar are demanding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on the final battle to stamp off terrorism from the soil of our country. The time for a decisive fight has come, we are convinced,” he said.