Following a technical glitch, the district administration this year has cancelled the flag-hoisting ceremony programme at Pahari Mandir organized annually. The ongoing construction work that has raised the eyebrows of several groups especially on ecological destruction frontage is said to be the prime reason for the cancellation of ceremony, organized with much gaiety by the district administration.
The pride of Ranchi—Pahari Temple that created a record on January 23, 2016 by registering its name in limca Book of record for the tallest flag-post is engulfed in controversy since the beginning of the civil construction task. Issues like torn out flag, difficulties in putting flags etc have surfaced the management and administration ever since the beginning.
Also, taking into account the decision of the Jharkhand High Court over ensuring proper safety while hoisting tri-colour on January 26 and August 15 every year, Pahari Mandir Vikash Samiti members have termed technical glitch, the major problem for not hoisting national flag this Republic Day (R-Day).
“We are yet to be approached by the members of Pahari Mandir Vikash Samiti about the flag hoisting event. However, looking at the technical aspects, the flag hoisting ceremony will not be organized this year,” said Ranchi DC, Manoj Kumar who also happens to be the ex-officio Chairperson of Pahari Mandir Vikash Samiti.
Mukesh Agarwal, spokesperson of the committee said, “We cannot go against the decision of Jharkhand HC that has clearly stated that only after assuring the safety, flag hoisting ceremony will be conducted here. At present, though the construction work undertaken by Urmila Construction private limited has been stopped but organizing any kind of mega event at this moment would be dangerous.”
On enquiring about the attempts being taken up to curb the growing controversies over the issue of civil work construction including the deadline for completing the construction work, Agarwal further added, “Attempts are being made to give rest to all anticipations but certain organizations including environmentalists are creating unnecessary panic over this.
As far as, its completion deadline is considered, Urmila Construction is creating the delay unnecessarily. All pending dues of the construction company have been cleared.”
Meanwhile, several social organizations are on protest over the issue of ongoing civil construction work at Pahari temple which is considered to be vulnerable by several environmentalists.
Rashtriya Yuva Sangarsh Morcha Samitii led by Uttam Yadav including the members of Pahari Mandir Bacchao Sangarsh Morcha Samiti who had filed a PIl in August 2016 to put a stay order in taking up any kind of civil construction work at Pahari Temple have planned to stage a massive protest, if the construction work is again taken up here.