Lucknow, September 24
With the BJP today coming out on the streets raising a hue and cry over the proposed ‘Mutiny Tour’ it seems almost unlikely that the tourists would be able to keep their date with the Residency on Tuesday.

While principal secretary (Home) J.N Chamber maintained that there was no reason to stop the tourists if they merely wanted to pay floral tributes at the graves of their ancestors he categorically ruled out permission for any victory celebration.

“This was no government function so there is no question of cancelling it. The tourists are coming in their personal capacity to visit the graves of their ancestors”, reiterated Chamber. He also clarified that the government would not allow any law and order situation to develop”.

Earlier in the day the district BJP unit held a public meeting at the gates of the Residency at noon to mark the Shaurya Divas in memory of the victory of Indian soldiers over the British who had been held captive in the Residency. Floral tributes were paid to the Indian martyrs of the First War of Independence.

Addressing the gathering senior BJP leader Lalji Tandon charged the Centre of undermining the culture of the country by allowing this group of British tourists to visit the Residency exactly when the British had recaptured it in September 1857.

The Archaeological Survey of India that maintains the Residency is believed to have refused any special permission to group to hold any service on Tuesday morning, said they would only be allowed to enter as ordinary tourists.

Meanwhile, Tournos Travels representative Prateek Hira cancelled a press conference at a local hotel where he was expected to shed light on the ongoing controversy. This was done following the hotel refusing permission to hold the press conference.

After that the press conference was shifted to the Tournos Travels office and was cancelled altogether later. Later in the day Hira could not be contacted to confirm if the tourists were arriving as scheduled on Monday evening.