Teerth purohits of Kedarnath observe fast

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, May 14

Teerth Purohits of Kedarnath observed a one-day fast on Monday. 

They were protesting against the government for carrying out beautification work at the temple allegedly in violation of religious and ancient beliefs. The protesters also decided to observe fast every Monday. 

After performing morning prayers and rituals, the purohits sat on a fast on the temple premises. “We have been raising questions about the manner in which the beautification activity is being done without taking into consideration traditions associated with the temple. We had warned the government of our protest, but it did not pay heed to it,” said  Vinod  Shukla, who led the protest. 

Shukla said if the government did not stop the work, they would be forced to intensify their stir. 

They said the government was not paying adequate attention to the agreement that was struck between the erstwhile Congress government and the purohits with regard to their rehabilitation. 

Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat  and other Congress leaders have also lent support to the stir.