Ganga ghat naming snowballing into controversy

Hardwar, Sept 22: Rajiv Gandhi vs Guru Golwalkar, the naming of a Ganga ghat constructed by the state government during the last Ardh Kumbh is snowballing into a major controversy here.

The issue has created a divide not only between the political parties but also the sant community and the Ganga Sabha, the apex body of the priests.

Two days ago Swami Hans Dass, the general secretary of the All Indian Sant Samiti proposed in a national convention of Himalaya Ganga Raksha Chintan Shivir here that the new ghat near Kangra bridge be named after Guru Golwalkar, a former RSS chief. The proposal was accepted unanimously by all those present including the RSS chief K C Sudershan and the president of the Ganga Sabha, Ram Kumar Mishra. A small wall was hurriedly constructed with a Shila Patt (rock inscription) of Guru Golwalkar's name.

However, just before the unveiling of the Shila Patt by K C Sudershan, heavy police force reached the spot and took the Shila Patt in their possession amid protests from BJP and RSS activists, including some BJP MLAs.

The MLA from the city, Madan Kaushik, said if the administration did not accord formal permission to install the Shila Patt of Guruji's name, they would resort to dharnas and demonstrations.

Swami Hans Dass said the police action, taken at the behest of the Congress leaders, amounted to an affront to Hindu sentiments and he would sit on fast unto death in protest against the arbitrary action of the administration.

On the contrary, the chairman of Hardwar Nagar Palika Parishad, Satpal Brahmchari, said public places could be named only after the permission of the municipal board. "There is no question of rechristening the ghat which has already been named after Rajiv Gandhi", said Brahmchari. A group of sants, led by the vice chancellor of the State Sanskrit University, Brahm Swaroop Brahmchari, also condemned the "unauthorised" act of renaming the ghat. The office bearers of the Ganga Sabha have also distanced themselves from the stand of their president on the issue.

With Uttaranchal assembly elections round the corner, the political parties are busy queering the pitch on the issue to derive political mileage.

UNI