Dwarka Shankaracharya calls for keeping politics away from progress

Ahmedabad, Apr 16 (UNI) Expressing concern over the issue of Sardar Sarovar Dam, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Dwarka Swaroopanand Saraswati today urged all to shun politics on the issue and work towards development.

Commenting on anti-dam activists trying to stop work at the site, he said their actions suggest they are against development of Gujarat.

''Nobody should have any objection to Gujarat's using water for its five-crore people with the help of technology. When the goal is to benefit a large number of people, we have to forego some individual's benefit,'' he said.

In a statement issued from Dwarka, the Shankaracharya said, ''All sympathise with the oustees, but it is the responsibility of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra also, along with Gujarat to rehabilitate them.'' Meanwhile, a number of ''sadhus' and ''mahants'', including Swami Sacchidanand, have joined Chief Minister Narendra Modi in his 51-hour fast at the Gujarat University Ground.

A large number of people flocked at the venue to express their solidarity with Mr Modi. They included a group of physically challenged people, belonging to Ahmedabad-based Society for Physically Handicapped.

UNI VKC MAZ SB KN2330