Valmik Tirath, Amritsar Editorial in "THE TRIBUNE (November 01, 2004)

From the desk of www.bhagwanvalmiki.com

November 5, 2004

The Deputy Commissioner of Police
Jalandhar range
Jalandhar City

Re. : Banning –release of Holy water in the Sacred tank of Valmik Tirath, Amritsar

With ref. to the news in THE TRIBUNE by Ms. Rashmi Talwar on November 01, 2004 regarding the demands of various organizations for the release of holy water in the sacred tank (Sarovar) for Holy Bath "Amrit snnan" during the auspicious occasion of Sharad Purnima at Valmik Ashram, Amritsar.

The Valmik Tirath is a holy place on the Amritsar-Chogawan road, where Lord Valmiki composed Ramayana. The temple site is also the place of where mother Sita spent some time and gave birth of Luv and Kush, sons of Sri Rama.

Funds were allotted for the beautification of the temple. A 10-member ‘Valmiki’ delegation from abroad with representatives from UK, USA and Canada headed by Sh. Faquir Chand Sahota supported the project for the development of the site alongwith other Valmiki Sabhas abroad and throughout India.

Hindu Mahants decided to file a court application against this large-scale kar seva as they claim over this place. They claim to be descendants of caretakers of the ancient temple since last 500 years. Tension mounted in the ashram following threats by some organizations to oppose the kaarseva. Due to frequent clashes between Hindu mahants and Valmikian Sevadaars a case was put up at the Ajnala High court, which is now filed in the session court.

As many organizations are demanding & are in the favor of release of holy water in the sarovar despite the court stay order, it accounts for contempt of court & is punishable act. We request you to please stop this happening & also request the state government to take effective measures to avoid any litigation among the mahants and sevadars.

We are hoping that you can resolve this issue.

I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future so that we can make the necessary arrangements and preventing the situation from taking an ugly turn.

Regards

Yours truly,

All members of – www.bhagwanvalmiki.com

CC. –All the Organizations & Working Committee

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Ram Tirath ‘sarovar’ yet to be filled
Rashmi Talwar

Amritsar, October 31
The district administration has failed to fill the massive sarovar at Ram Tirath although the annual fair is scheduled to be held next month. Not only will it pose a problem for visiting devotees who desire to take holy dip but will also endanger the lives of fishes.

Lakhs of pilgrims from all over world visit the place every year for a holy dip in the sarovar during the week-long fair from November 26 at this ancient temple connected with Luv and Kush, sons of lord Rama as well as Maharishi Valmiki.

One third of the sarovar spread over 10 acres was barraged following kar seva in January this year. More than 20,000 quintals of fish was segregated in the demarked water area. However, large quantities of fish died following asphyxiation due to low level of water. Nearly all fishes of a particular species which were bred to clean the tank, died. The mortality rate of the rest too has increased in recent months due to their multiplying numbers in a limited area of water. The area segregated for women for holy bath is currently dry.

The present month of ‘katak’ according to the lunar calendar is auspicious for a holy dip. However, the administration is dilly-dallying on the issue of filling the holy sarovar even as devotees continue to take a dip in the sarovar jeopardizing the fish population. Growth of grass has also begun in the water as only 3-4 feet of water is left in the area.

A number of mahants who claim to be descendants of caretakers of the ancient Ram Tirath temple since the past 500 years, including mahant Baldev Gir, Mahant Krishan Gir, Mahant Bhan Dass, Mahant Amardass, and Mahant Kanas Dass along with the Brahman Samaj Pratinidhi Sabha, Arya Samaj, Gai Seva Samiti, Hindu Suraksha Samiti, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Sanatam Dharam Sabha, Mahavir Dal, Punjab, and Mr Surinder Kumar Billa of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena approached the district administration and gave representations. The administration has merely forwarded the complaint to the SDM Ajnala with little progress in this direction .

It is learnt that after the permanent stay on September 15 obtained by the Mahants in a court case wherein new construction was banned in the temple premises, the activities of state level “Ram Tirath Development Board” formed by the ruling party came to a halt.

Allegations of representation only to the ruling party and a particular community on the board with Mr Sardool Singh Bhandala Minister for Excise and Taxation, as chairman, have been made often.

The Deputy Commissioner was made secretary and project coordinator of the board. A sum of Rs 1 crore had also been received by the administration for the temple's development. However, the administration should take little interest and basic maintenance, too, has stopped. Mr Bhandala when contacted said he would direct the DC to take immediate action to fill up the sarovar.