VRINDAVAN FOLKS ON WAR PATH AGAINST MERGER WITH MATHURA

 

 

VRINDAVAN October 20 (IANS)

 

The move to upgrade Mathura municipality to a corporation has hit numerous road-blocks with whole of Vrindavan standing up against the initiative to merge its identity with Mathura.

 

Not just the saints and religious heads of the holy town of Vrindavan have openly expressed themselves against what they call a "conspiracy" but now sections representing businessmen, professionals and political activists have also announced their total opposition to the idea of merging the twin cities.

 

The chief argument of Vrindavan residents is that their "town has a unique identity, a different history, heritage and status." This would be destroyed if the local body was merged with the Mathura municipality to form the corporation for which they see absolutely no need. Even the Mathura ward members do not see the need for forming a Corporation. They have protested and demanded explanation from the municipal chief Maneesha Gupta.

 

The only people happy with the move for merger are the land sharks, the colonisers and perhaps some politicians, says Friends of Vrindavan convener Jagan Nath Poddar, who has launched a signature campaign, filed email petitions and shot out memorandums to the state government top officials. A post card writing campaign is already on, says Madhu Mangal Shukla, an activist.

 

"Already Vrindavan is witnessing a construction spree which has left hardly any green cover. The holy town is being rampaged and destroyed by hordes of tourists and touch and go type pilgrims who hardly have any respect for the unique nature-friendly ambience of Vrindavan. The MVDA (Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority) has destroyed Vrindavan. The sewers are choked, you find dumps of garbage everywhere, streets are dirty and poorly lit and on the roads there is only traffic chaos," laments Braj Foudation Chief Vineet Narain, whose efforts to rejuvenate and renovate holy ponds and forests associated with Sri Krishna-Radha's leelas have drawn appreciation.

 

Vrindavan residents are particularly angry at the efforts to bypass 28 village panchayats which will be merged in the corporation. "This is a clear violation of the Panchayat Raj Act, the 74th constitutional amendment. How can the powers that be ignore the rights and aspirations of the villagers who have been denied a say in the new dispensation," wonders Mahara Sri Vats Swamy, highly respected voice of Vrindavan.