Gandhi Jayanti Celebration draws flak in Mussoorie

MUSSOORIE, 3 Oct: The Coordinators of the Gandhi Jayanti celebration at Gandhi Chowk, Mussoorie, which was held on 2 October, have drawn flak from different quarters. The mismanagement was such that the programme, originally scheduled at 11.30 a.m., was started half an hour earlier, angering the invited guests. This resulted in participants from various schools being unable to be present at the flag hoisting.
The coordinator of the program, senior BJP leader Madan Mohan Sharma said that the entire confusion regarding the timing was unintentional, as there was no one from among the authorities present and no memo regarding the actual time had been circulated. He said further that, since the SDM, Mussoorie, was not present at such an important function, the matter was discussed with the local MLA and the President Nagar Palika, Mussoorie, that the programme ought to start half an hour early.
Man Mohan Singh Mall, former President of the Nagar Palika, refuted the claims made by the coordinators of the programme and added fuel to the fire by saying that no official programme was conducted without a circular and to say that no circular was issued was a falsehood.
Man Mohan Singh Mall Singh further lamented the fact that all the schools including NCC girls were given the official time of 11.30 a.m. and arrived at the function accordingly. To their dismay they found that the flag had been already hoisted.
The Bahujan Samaj Party Mussoorie Secretary, Sunil Sonkar, also reiterated the fact that the actual time given to them was of 11.30 a.m. He also alleged that disrespect was shown to BSP Party President, Mussoorie, MohdYaseen by not inviting him to the dais and the seats were kept empty. He further added that the BJP and Congress party were provided the seats on the dais. Mohd Yaseen, the President of BSP Mussoorie, said this was nothing new and such incidents had happened in the past. He added further that there was a concerted effort on the part of the two major parties to marginalise the dalits and Muslims and keep them away from the national mainstream. He also said that as for sitting in the front seat, the anger of the party workers was genuine but they should not blow the matter out of proportion because he was happy sitting in the back seat as a patriotic citizen of the country.
The President Nagar Palika, OP Uniyal, in his address described the entire incident as unfortunate and said that repetition would be avoided. He also informed the gathering that Mussoorie had also become a No Smoking Zone adhering to Gandhiji’s Principle and instead of such bickering all should work toward a society of Gandhiji’s dream.
Local MLA Jot Singh Gunsola said on the occasion that clearance of the nuclear deal was an important national event on the day.
The function concluded with the oath taking ceremony on the issue of untouchability and National Integration which was read out by Madan Mohan Sharma, the coordinator at the program. The important fact was that the SDM Mussoorie was not present at such an important function.
Members Nagar Palika Mussoorie and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.