EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Aug 31: Shiv Sena Bala Saheb Thackeray, J&K unit today staged a silent protest against the decision of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to sell the holy Prasad of Maa Vaishno Devi to people across the country, criticizing the Board for playing with the faith of Hindus.
Dozens of party leaders, headed by Party President UT Jammu and Kashmir, Manish Sahni, protested against the decision to sell the holy Parsad of Mata Vaishno online on higher charges, terming it a business.
Pertinent to mention here the Shrine Board has entered into an agreement with the department of posts for delivery of Prasad to people across the country.
Talking to reporters here, Sahni welcomed the decision of Shrine Board to deliver Prasad of Mata Vaishno Devi to people across the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic but he objected to the price fixed for the offerings i.e, Rs 501, Rs 1100 and Rs 2100. He said that determining the value of the Prasad being priceless (Amulaya) is like finishing the dignity of the holy Prasad and hurting the religious faith of devotees.
Sahni said that by setting the minimum amount of Rs 501 as Prasad, it has been made out of reach of common and poor people. He said that the Shrine Board should work like a religious institution as there is no need to do business. Sahni said that a memorandum has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and CEO of Shrine Board, Ramesh Kumar, requesting to deliver the Prasad only at the postage cost.
The protesting Shiv Sena leaders appealed to the Lt Governor to intervene into the matter as its belong to the faith of crores of Hindus residing across the country and abroad and take appropriate steps so that the Parsad should be deliver to devotees at an affordable cost.
Prominent among those who joined the protest included President Women Wing Meenakshi Chhibber, working President Ashwini Gupta, General Secretary Vikas Bakshi, Secretary Raj Singh, Bhuri Singh, Rajesh Handa, Geeta Lakotia, Dimple, Amit.
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