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Ganga Andolan
By Dr. Rajendra Singh*
Today, on day 18 of the Ganga satyagraha fast unto death of Swami Shivanand, the Defend the Sacred Alliance (DCA) expressed concern over the Ganga and the ongoing satyagraha of Swami Sivanand. This Alliance (DCA) is an alliance in which activists support each other, join in action and prayer and collaborate towards system change. A global movement is ongoing to save the Ganga.
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“The Kumbh mela held on the of the river Ganga continues to be the largest pilgrimage site in the world, such is the sacredness of the river,” shared DCA members Ethan of USA, Alnoor of Israel, and Prof Philip and Mini Jain of UK. The Alliance expressed regret that the government did not take appropriate steps to save Prof G D Agarwal who valued the sacred river more than his own life. In 2018, “Prof GD Agarwal a great Ganga Scientist and ‘bhakt’ lost his life as he fasted unto death to save the Ganga in keeping with his faith, determination and commitment towards the Ganga. Today is day 18 of the fast unto death of Swami Shivanand of Matri Sadan ashram. Another life should not be while saving the Ganga, a living symbol of faith, spiritualty and culture,” they urged.
Also read: (Use translator above to read in your preferred language)
Full independence of India will remain a distant dream without free-flowing Ganga
गंगा आंदोलन -2: गंगा राष्ट्रीय प्रतीक है, इसे सम्मान कौन दिलायेगा?
गंगा को अब लोक राजनीति से ही बचा सकते हैं
The United Nations also wrote a letter to the PM, expressing regret that the lives of Swami Nigamanand and of Professor G D Agarwal had been lost in their attempt to save the river and appropriate action should be taken so no other life is lost in saving the Ganga through her protection and management.
We had great expectations from this government that they would take necessary steps in preserving our heritage, cultural and spirituality of this country, but unfortunately this government is only focused on the expansion of its own rule. In the process, this culture of conservation and preservation of spiritual sites and ecosystems and practices has been forgotten. As a result, the sacred sites are being destroyed.
There is science behind why the Ganga is considered holy the world over. The ‘gangatva’ of the river comes from the proven healing properties in her water. With this special characteristic being ignored by the government, society and some spiritual leaders, the Ganga is on her deathbed. As a result, Ganga lovers are giving up their lives to draw attention to her protection and management.
Faith in India plays a significant role in environment protection. It is ironic that we are giving up this faith and adopting western models that are focused on economic gain alone huge costs to the environment. This approach fuels and deepens insecurity and a sense of unease. Swami Shivanand is on a satyagraha because the government is not upholding its commitment to the Ganga.
Rather than ignore, the government needs to positively respond to the demands of making a law for the protection and management of the Ganga, and formation of an independent Ganga Bhakt Parishad for the monitoring of this law. The Himalaya and its associated biodiversity are closely linked with the Ganga’s flow and clean flow. Thus, unnecessary interventions and violence against nature that exploit this natural landscape for economic gain need to stop. The Ganga needs to flow. And the world needs a sanatan or eternal “Maa” Ganga.
*The writer is an internationally acclaimed water conservationist and is also known as the Waterman of India. The views expressed are personal.
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