Non-observance of Sankriti Diwas irks statehood agitators

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, December 24

Statehood agitators and regional artistes expressed resentment over the allegedly indifferent attitude of the district administration and the Municipal Council for failing to observe the birth anniversary of the leader of the Uttarakhand movement, Indramani Badoni, in Mussoorie today. The day is observed as Sanskriti Diwas in Badoni’s honour.

The regional artists and statehood agitators gathered under the banner of the Mussoorie Naagrik Sangharsh Samiti at Indramani Badoni Chowk near Rialto Cinema and paid homage to the leader. Producer and director of Garhwali Films, Anil Godiyal, said it was distressing that the district administration and the civic body, which was organising the Winterline Carnival for promotion of culture and employment generation has completely forgotten to observe the birth anniversary of Indramani Badoni.

The convener of the Mussoorie Nagrik Sangarsh Samiti, Pradeep Bhandari, said while the district administration had spent more than Rs 1 crore on the carnival scheduled to start from December 5, it did not bother to offer floral tributes to Badoni on his birth anniversary. He said the indifferent attitude of the district administration had irked people, who were questioning the need to organise the carnival.

The members of the samiti also raised slogans against the administration and said the autocratic attitude of the district administration would not be tolerated.