Ahead of Maghi Mela, posters of politicians dot Muktsar town

Tribune News Service
Muktsar, January 9

As the preparations for the annual Maghi Mela have started, posters and hoardings of politicians here have started defacing the historic town. A number of hoardings can be spotted on electricity poles along roads. However, the authorities concerned have not taken any action against the violators.

Muktsar Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sandeep Kumar said, “Seven temporary bus stands will be made on the outskirts of the town and devotees will be brought to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in vans. Volunteers too will be deployed in the town and flags will be installed on the roads leading to the gurdwara. Besides, the town will be divided into seven sectors.” Notably, Muktsar Deputy Commissioner MK Aravind Kumar had recently held a meeting with officials of all departments and directed them to perform their duties diligently.

A local resident, Gurinder Singh, said, “The Maghi Mela is held for its religious importance, but politicians politicise it for their vested interests. Nobody has installed a hoarding to commemorate the valour and role of the 40 ‘Muktas’ (liberated ones) and Mai Bhago, who laid down their lives while fighting the last battle with Mughals in 1705 here. The politicians are just trying to beat their rivals by installing hoardings with their own photographs.”

Similarly, Narinderjit, a local resident, said, “The hoardings should be removed. The political conferences too should be banned so that devotees can pay obeisance at the historic gurdwara without any hassle on the event. The rallies cause traffic snarls, adding to devotees’ woes.”