BJP demands disbanding of Vaishno Devi Shrine

Hoshiarpur, Jun 5 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and Punjab labour minister Tikshan Sud today demanded that the President immediately disband Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for ''hurting the feelings of Hindus'', by introducing class system to visit the famous shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.

He said that 'Priority Darshan Fee' introduced by the Board to provide prompt 'darshan' of Mata Vaishno Devi to rich and elite was a cruel reminder of 'Zazia' imposed by oppressive Aurangzeb on Hindus.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Tikshan Sud alleged that the move by the board, headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor General S K Sinha, was aimed at reducing the ever-increasing flow of pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

Demanding the amendment in the Constitution of the Board to have elected body instead of present nominated Board, Mr Sud said that Hindus all over the country should elect the Board on the pattern of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

''Since the Congress government has taken control of this Board, corruption, maladministration and nepotism was ruling the roost.

Donation from pilgrims running into hundreds of crore was being siphoned off by a handful of persons controlling the Board and hardly any money was being spent on providing facilities to the pilgrims,'' alleged Mr Sud.

Demanding the immediate intervention of the President, Mr Sud said that this Board should be made to rescind the controversial order with immediate effect and President should disband the Board immediately.

He said that the President should also sack Jammu and Kashmir Governor with immediate effect for ''hurting the feelings of crore of Hindus''.

UNI XC JN DB 2006