From Vijay Sabharwal
Kurukshetra: The Haryana government recently re-imposed an order banning
the sale and preparation of non-vegetable foods within the municipal limits of
Thanesar, the religious zone of Kurukshetra. With a population of over 2 lakhs
drawn from various religions and faiths, the official notification is intended
to maintain the sanctity of the holy places here. However, locals rue the fact
that the administration does not display a similar enthusiasm when it comes to
maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the holy places here.
Pilgrims visiting holy places of
worship leave a trail of garbage and filth behind them that can be seen
littered around the holy water tank. The efforts of the Kurukshetra Development
Board to appeal to the conscience of pilgrims by erecting signboards reminding
them of their civic duty obviously go unheeded.
Garbage and litter around Hindu temples
and ‘tirthas’ here seems to be the unintended consequence of the good intentions
of charitable individuals and organisations – while they come here to
distribute food and alms to beggars in the area with noble intentions, the used
plastic plates, carry-bags and other waste finds their way to the surroundings,
without care nor concern for cleanliness.
Another source of the rubbish and litter is a community of religious saints
that inhabits the washrooms and shelters built within the compounds of the
Brahmasarovar and Sannehit tanks – locals allege that these dwellers do not
make any effort to keep the area clean. In fact, many allege that the saffron
clothing and religious identities of many are a cover for illicit activities. Avadh
Kumar Gupta, who sells religious books near the Brahmsarovar, said, “These
people never talk about religion or give any religious sermons. Their get by on
handouts obtained through begging. In fact, they pose a danger to society because
nobody knows where they come from or what their real identity is, so they can
easily do any wrong deed and escape. They consume ‘hashish’, ‘ganja’ and other
intoxicants and spread filth all-around.”
These ‘saints’ are also proving to be a health hazard for the pilgrims
and locals as a large number of them are found to be afflicted with contagious
diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB).
Deputy Commissioner of Kurukshetra,
Mandip Brar, had issued an order recently warning that strict action would be
taken against those littering or otherwise dirtying the town’s civic areas, but
it has failed to have any significant impact so far.
Rajiv Sharma, Office Secretary of the
Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), which is responsible for the maintenance
of holy tanks here, said that the KDB on its part was taking numerous steps to
maintain cleanliness at the holy sites, but people who come here with religious
faith do not comply with the instructions on civic cleanliness.
Rajiv disclosed that besides having a
contract with Sulabh International, Delhi, the KDB has 45 sweepers on its rolls
to ensure cleanliness at the holy tanks. One Junior Engineer supervises their
work. However, they feel helpless when charitable organizations or religious
persons come here to distribute food to the homeless and ‘babas’ living here. Earlier,
they even set up ‘tandoors’ (ovens) in the open to prepare ‘rotis’ just outside
the office of KDB. They would leave a dump of garbage behind. It was with great
difficulty that this was shifted to the eastern bank of the tank, where
vehicles of the pilgrims are parked. He further said that KDB had displayed the
instructions at various places but pilgrims hardly follow any of the advice.
Photo- Garbage spread on the banks of holy Sannehit tank and cows roaming freely on bank
