PUBLIC FACES INCONVENIENCE DURING CM’S VISIT

PUBLIC FACES INCONVENIENCE DURING CM’S VISIT

27-OCT-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-----------------------The concluding ceremony (Purnahuti) of the 251-Kundiya Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mahayajna, held in Parsia village of the Bhabhua block in Kaimur district, caused significant hardship for the general public during the visit of the Chief Minister and Samrat Chaudhary. The Mahayajna, organized under the spiritual guidance of Shri Jeeyar Swami Ji Maharaj, saw the Chief Minister arrive by helicopter. According to local residents, traffic diversions led to long traffic jams on alternative routes, forcing people to spend up to two hours on journeys that would otherwise take only thirty minutes. Questions have also been raised regarding the setup at the event—specifically the creation of a separate stage and the prominent display of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. Some locals alleged that the religious event took on the appearance of a political platform; the overcrowding on the stage was so intense that Legislative Council member Santosh Kumar Singh narrowly avoided injury.

Accompanying the Chief Minister were several public representatives, including MP Manoj Tiwari, Mohania MLA Sangeeta Kumari, Bhabhua MLA Bharat Bind, Chainpur MLA and Minister for Minority Welfare Jama Khan, and Legislative Council member Santosh Kumar Singh.

Furthermore, the public is questioning who will bear the costs incurred for the Chief Minister’s helicopter arrival, security arrangements, and other logistical expenses. Locals have asked why adequate measures were not taken to ensure the convenience of the general public alongside the provision of VIP security. Devotees close to Jeeyar Swami Ji Maharaj, who had come to receive 'prasad' (sanctified food) during the concluding ceremony, also expressed regret over the political nature of the event. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, some devotees noted that they have always participated enthusiastically in Yajnas held under the guidance of Maharaj Ji; however, due to the political atmosphere and the strict restrictions imposed by the administration, many were unable to reach the venue and, consequently, missed out on receiving the 'prasad'.