By Arun Pratap Singh
Rudraprayag, 10 May: On the very first day of the Kedarnath Yatra when the portals of Kedarnath opened, the Teerth Purohits continued to express their anger and kept the business establishments, Prasad shops, hotels and eateries at Kedarpuri closed. Besides, the work of priesthood (Purohitai) was also boycotted by them on the day one of the Kedarnath Yatra in pursuance of their demands.
It may be recalled that the Teerth Purohits are demanding strict action against the officers and employees who “vandalised” Kedarnath Dham on 22 April. At the same time, operators of horses and mules plying on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route also remained on strike today. The pilgrims as a result had to face a lot of inconvenience.
It may be recalled that the Teerth Purohits and local traders had threatened of strike on 10 May several days in advance but the administration probably did not make any serious attempt to resolve the issues.
On the first day itself Teerth Purohit Samaj and Vyapar Sabha launched an indefinite strike. As a result, all the homestays, hotels, dhabas and prasad shops remained closed throughout the day and, not only this, the Teerth Purohits also boycotted the work of priesthood (Purohitai). They claim that on 22 April, massive vandalism was carried out in Kedarnath Dham in the absence of the Teerth Purohits, who were in their respective villages on that day. Some officials from the administration reached the Dham and with the help of the workers carried out demolition of certain structures on the main road in front of the temple, the Teerth Purohits claim. They demand that strict action should be taken against the officers and employees who indulged in vandalism. On the other hand, horse-mule operators and owners operating on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route also started a strike on the very first day. Horses and mule operators allege that they are being harassed unnecessarily by the officials. They are not being given accommodation anywhere along the Yatra route. They are being driven away from the place where they have been making their shelters in the past.
Vice President, Chardham Panda Samaj, Santosh Trivedi said that traders and the Teerth Purohits will continue their boycott and the strike till the issues facing them are addressed satisfactorily.
