Protests erupt in U’khand over new Mansarovar route
20 Sept 2014 5:55 AM IST
Locals engaged in businesses related to the annual pilgrimage, which goes through the traditional route of Dharchula and Siyalekh in the state, burnt effigies of prime minister Narendra Modi to protest against the move and alleged that it was a conspiracy to finish tourism trade in the Kumaon belt in northern state of Uttarakhand.
‘It is a conspiracy to finish tourist trade in Kumaon region which is based on this Yatra,’ said Bittu Karnataka, a Congress leader in Almora.
In Pithoragarh, Congress workers and local social activists also protested against the decision and claimed that the move would severely hamper tourism trade in this border district as there are no employment opportunities other than this.
‘Agreement with China over an alternative route to Mansarovar through Nathula goes against the religious sentiments of people throughout the country as it is not in keeping with the centuries-old scriptures which recognise only the traditional route for the pilgrimage passing through Uttarakhand,’ Rawat said in a statement issued in state capital Dehradun.
The chief minister also appealed to the five BJP MPs from Uttarakhand to take up the issue with Modi and convince him that seeking an alternative route for the pilgrimage would be tantamount to going against the sanctity of the traditional route and riding rough shod over the religious sentiments of people across the country.
Instead of seeking an alternative route to Mansarovar, it would be better to strengthen the infrastructure along the traditional one passing through Uttarakhand, he said.
‘It is due to Kailas Mansarowar Yatra that the deserted border valleys of Darma, Vyas and Chaundas, at Indo-China border, have gone vital, as the locals who had left the villages due to absence of employment have returned,’ said Bhuperdra Thapa, traders union president in Dharchula town.
‘It is a conspiracy to finish tourist trade in Kumaon region which is based on this Yatra,’ said Bittu Karnataka, a Congress leader in Almora.
In Pithoragarh, Congress workers and local social activists also protested against the decision and claimed that the move would severely hamper tourism trade in this border district as there are no employment opportunities other than this.
‘Agreement with China over an alternative route to Mansarovar through Nathula goes against the religious sentiments of people throughout the country as it is not in keeping with the centuries-old scriptures which recognise only the traditional route for the pilgrimage passing through Uttarakhand,’ Rawat said in a statement issued in state capital Dehradun.
The chief minister also appealed to the five BJP MPs from Uttarakhand to take up the issue with Modi and convince him that seeking an alternative route for the pilgrimage would be tantamount to going against the sanctity of the traditional route and riding rough shod over the religious sentiments of people across the country.
Instead of seeking an alternative route to Mansarovar, it would be better to strengthen the infrastructure along the traditional one passing through Uttarakhand, he said.
‘It is due to Kailas Mansarowar Yatra that the deserted border valleys of Darma, Vyas and Chaundas, at Indo-China border, have gone vital, as the locals who had left the villages due to absence of employment have returned,’ said Bhuperdra Thapa, traders union president in Dharchula town.
Next Story
