Uttarakhand government has taken a big decision regarding the escape channel of Ganga in Haridwar. On Sunday, after a meeting in the presence of the saints of the Akhara Council and the officials of the Ganga Sabha, the government directed the repeal of the Escape Channel ordinance. Ganga Sabha general minister Tanmay Vasistha claims that the order will be issued on Monday.

Please tell that this ordinance was in the government of former CM Harish Rawat of Uttarakhand. The pilgrim priests of Haridwar had been demanding the repeal of the ordinance for a long time. The Tirtha Purohit had been protesting for the last 61 days to protest the Ganga and sit on the Harki paidi.

Mahakumbh will be bathed in the Ganges
The announcement of the cancellation of the escape channel ordinance by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has been welcomed by the saints and pilgrim priests of Dharmanagri. Saints and Tirtha Purohit said that the BJP government has done the work of giving respect back to Ganga by rectifying the mistake of the then government.

In 2016, the then Harish Rawat government declared Ganga as an escape channel flowing from Bhagirathi Bindu, Sarbananda Ghat Bhupatwala to Harki Padi, Mayapur, and Daksha Mandir Kankhal. This meant that this stream is a canal that is used to drain excess water into the Ganges.

The NGT had ordered the construction to be removed within 200 meters of the banks of the Ganges. There is also the construction of hotels, ashrams, etc. along the banks of the Ganga flowing through the Hari Ki Paidi. Those who were decided to withdraw The government of Harish Rawat declared the Ganges stream as an escape channel only to save this construction. While the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and Sri Ganga Sabha had protested against the ordinance.

Shri Ganga Sabha had filed an appeal in the High Court against the ordinance in 2017. The matter is still pending in court. In the year 2019, Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik assured the Sri Ganga Sabha to take action against the cancellation of the ordinance. In July this year, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat reached Harki Padi and publicly apologized to Shri Ganga Sabha and Sant Samaj regarding the ordinance. Harish Rawat had talked about issuing ordinances citing the then circumstances.

At the same time, the state government had also demanded the immediate cancellation of the ordinance, saying it was unnecessary. Harish Rawat had assured the saints and tirtha priests that the ordinance would be repealed in 2022 if the present government does not take a decision. Then the state politics was warmed by this masterstroke of Harish Rawat. Mr. Ganga Sabha Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, two months ago, gave concrete assurance to cancel the ordinance.

Government announces cancellation of the ordinance on 63rd day
At the same time, many pilgrim priests under the leadership of Teerth Purohit Saurabh Sikhoula sat on a dharna on every side demanding to cancel the ordinance. On the 63rd day of picketing and gradual fast, the government announced the cancellation of the ordinance.

The Escape Channel Ordinance was very unfortunate. Due to this, the religious sentiments of crores of devotees along with saints and pilgrims were hurt. After the assurance of Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik, Shri Ganga Sabha was in constant touch with the government regarding the activities of cancellation of the ordinance. Sri Ganga Sabha was fully confident that the ordinance would be repealed in due course. It took a while for some technical reasons to graze.
– Tanmaya Vasistha, General Secretary Shri Ganga Sabha

The Escape Channel Ordinance was a major attack on Sanatan Dharma. Today, the Trivandra Singh Rawat Government has done the work of washing this great disaster. The government’s decision is welcome. The government should likewise work to carry forward the work related to religion and remove barriers. Today is a big day for all the Ganga devotees.
– Pradeep Jha President Shri Ganga Sabha

Today the government has washed away the sins of the previous government. After taking cognizance of the Prime Minister and Union Ministers, the Government took a welcome decision. The Tirtha Purohit Samaj welcomes the decision. Today (Monday) grand Ganga Aarti and Mother Ganga will be milked with all the supporting organizations.
– Saurabh Sikhoula, Tirtha Purohit

The government has done justice to the sentiments of crores of devotees. But there should be a concrete law so that such Ganga and religious sentiments do not get disturbed.
– Prateek Mishrpuri, President of Indian Oriental Education Society