Seer flays Azam?s remark on Ardh Kumbh facilities

UP URBAN Development Minister Azam Khan?s statement that seers will be provided with five-star-hotel facilities at the Sangam during Ardh Kumbh in January 2007, invited severe criticism. Maa Ganga Pradushan Mukti Abhiyan Samiti Bharat president Swami Harichaitanya Brahmachari demanded an unconditional apology from the minister. At a meeting of officers held recently in Lucknow to review preparation of Ardh Kumbh .

UP URBAN Development Minister Azam Khan’s statement that seers will be provided with five-star-hotel facilities at the Sangam during Ardh Kumbh in January 2007, invited severe criticism.

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Maa Ganga Pradushan Mukti Abhiyan Samiti Bharat (MGPMASB) president Swami Harichaitanya Brahmachari demanded an unconditional apology from the minister.

At a meeting of officers held recently in Lucknow to review preparation of Ardh Kumbh, Khan announced that seers would be provided with facilities of a five star hotel during Ardh Kumbh in 2007. In a press release issued here on Monday, he said that Khan, instead of taking any concrete steps towards cleaning the Ganga for pure water offered five-star hotel facilities to the seers.

He said that Khan should know that the seers and pilgrims who congregate at the Sangam had no interest in worldly pleasures.

He termed the statement of Khan as disgraceful and demanded an apology from him. MGPMASB spokesperson Omkarnath Tripathi also criticised the statement of Khan. He said that the government, instead of concentrating on cleaning the Ganga during the Kumbh, was seeking the services of foreign engineers to provide the pilgrims and seers with five-star hotel facilities in the Sangam area.

He suggested the minister should learn the art of construction of temples and ashrams. The seers resented the luxurious preparations for Ardh Kumbh.