SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 3: In the wake of the alleged misbehaviour incident with Barkagaon Congress MLA Amba Prasad on Mahashivratri day at the Babadham temple, the Deoghar district administration is mulling over limiting the numbers of VIP ‘Shighram Darshan’ coupons on special days.
Deoghar Deputy commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri admitted that due to unlimited release of VIP ‘Shighram Darshan’ coupons on special occasions; old age persons, women, children, handicapped and sick people fail to perform Puja in a short time.
“The decision on limiting the number of VIP coupons would be taken after consultation of all stakeholders including Shirsh Purohit, representatives of Panda Samaj and office bearers of Panda Dharma Rakshani Samaj,” said the DC to media persons.
For ‘Shighram Darshan’ at Baba Baidyanath, a VIP coupon is issued to the devotees. On a general day, it is issued at Rs. 250, but on special days like January 1, Saraswati Puja, Mahashivratri and others, this coupon is sold at Rs. 500.
Till Mahashivratri (March 1), there was no limitation on releasing coupons and was issued on demand. As per official records on March 1, 1300 VIP coupons were issued for devotees. Since around two lakhs devotees thronged to offer Puja, the temple management stopped the entry of the VIP coupon holders after 6.30 p.m.
A senior official of the Babadham temple management committee said that the alleged unsavoury incident with Barkagaon ( Hazaribagh) Congress MLA Amba Prasad who was denied entry through the VIP gate, has forced the district administration to review the process and limit the coupon numbers.
Meanwhile, Panda Dharmrakshni Samaj has urged people’s representatives to avoid offering Puja on a special day that causes problems. Panda Dharmrakshni Samaj president Suresh Bhardwaj, general secretary Kartik Nath Thakur have demanded the removal of temple manager Ramesh Parihast for mismanagement in temple premises on Mahashivratri.
“In the wake of the stampede-like situation on Mahashivratri, the temple management closed the entry of VIP coupons at 6.30 p.m. Resulting in over 1000 devotees returning coupons to their respective priests who faced the loss. It all happened due to mismanagement of the temple manager,” said Manoj Mishra, the vice-president of Panda Dharmrakshni Samaj.
However, a district administration official said that since the DC has set up a committee to probe the alleged misbehaviour incident with the MLA, there is no chance of removal of the temple manager till a report surfaces.
