Headlines
Hindutva groups angry over move to shift Agra crematorium
Agra, May 11
Agra Divisional Commissioner
Pradip Bhatnagar has ordered shifting of a centuries-old crematorium
from the proximity of the iconic Taj Mahal here, outraging Hindutva
organisations which threatened a mass movement.
Environmentalists
claimed that the timeless beauty of the the 17th century monument of
love is being threatened by smoke and soot from the cremation ground.
A
parliamentary committee, headed by Congress member of the Rajya Sabha
Ashwini Kumar, visited Agra last month. It expressed its concern and
asked the government to investigate fears expressed by the
anti-pollution activists.
"It was a matter of faith and
religion," a member of a Hindutva groups said while objecting to the
relocation of the crematorium.
On Tuesday, all major voluntary
organisations of the city will meet and discuss a strategy to stall the
shifting of the crematorium.
The Shiv Sena, meanwhile, staged a protest at the divisional commissioner's office on Monday.