After the death of Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand last year while on a fast unto death in support of the demand for enactment of Ganga Act and stopping of mining in the Ganga and its tributaries, Matri Sadan has once again become the focus of a similar fast unto death.
On Sunday, 23-year-old Sadhvi Padmavati began a fast unto death in support of the same demands. The Matri Sadan founder Swami Shivanand alleged that the government and district administration are still not acting seriously towards Ganga Act and stopping mining in the Ganga and its tributaries.
He said that a letter was received in October stating that mining in the Ganga and its tributaries is completely banned but mining is being done in the Rasavan and Kotavali rivers by the government. In addition to this, illegal mining is also rampant in the district, he said.
Shivanand said that 23 year old Padmavati, who hails from Bihar and has done her BA honours in philosophy from Nalanda University, is sitting on a fast unto death. She is protesting in support of demand for enactment of Ganga Act and complete stop on mining in the Ganga and its tributaries.
He has also written to the state’s chief secretary and director general of police, alleging that the Haridwar senior superintendent of police, by removing his security is putting his life in danger.
It is pertinent to mention here that Matri Sadan has been a centre of hunger strike in support of Ganga related issues.