Haridwar saints resumed their hunger strike with three days ultimatum for want of flow of waters on ganga ghat. Irked by the scarcity of water on ganga ghats at Sapt sarovar area, the saints have threatened to boycott the Ardh Kumbh mela.
They alleged that the State Government was ignoring their demand and for the past few days they had been on relay hunger strike. Given the political backing of BJP leader Madan Kaushik and former State CM Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, the saints continued their protest on Sunday. Seer of Juna akhara gave ultimatum to the State Government to resume the flow of ganga waters on Sapt sarovar ghats within three days.
Notably three seers had started the hunger strike on March 8 soon to be joined by 20 others in relay hunger strike. The geography of the river had changed after the 2013 flash floods with main river changing its course flowing away from the Sapt sarovar ghats. lot of boulders and slush had separated the main river which has led to the unrest of the residents of the Sapt sarovar area. Not even one feet deep water remains near the embankments causing trouble to the ashrams and residents.
Speaking to The Pioneer Mahant Vinod Giri said, “The State High Court order clearly states that “continuous flow of ganga” shall be maintained on the river embankments, but the district administration has failed to ensure this. There is not enough water to take the holy dip in the ganga even when the Ardh Kumbh mela is on.”
Mahant Kitab Giri, 63, who is disciple of Vinod Giri and also national president of Bhartiya sanatan sant samaj samiti told the Pioneer, “We have been given support from all organisations from Uttarakhand, Punjab and other states of Northern India. 25 representatives of Sanatan Sabha Punjab have given their support in written demanding the continuous flow of water. If the State Government and district administration do not ensure full water flow within three days, we would boycott the main snan of Ardh Kumbh Mela.”
Former CM has also threatened to take the issue to lok Sabha. Reaching the holy city on Sunday, former State Chief Minister and MP from Haridwar Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank said, “I have spoken to all the departments concerned and the officials including Mela adhikari but they are passing the bucks on each other’s shoulders. I shall take the matter to the Upper House if the demand of saints is not met.”
The minister also said that the main fault rested with the State Government which has been unsuccessful in the conduct of Ardh Kumbh mela. Speaking to The Pioneer, Nishank said, “In the year 2010 during Kumbh mela there was full flow of ganga throughout the stretch of Sapt Sarovar and Har Ki Pauri. The state government must resign on its failure to meet the demands of the saint community.”