Jaisalmer: Some Hindu saints marched with hundreds of people under the banner of Jhunjhar Dharohar Bachao Samiti (JDBS) in Jaisalmer on Monday and demanded immediate rebuilding of the chhatris of some figures of historical and religious importance demolished by anti-social elements in 2020.
The march started from Ambedkar Park and went up to the district collector’s office, where a demonstration was staged, and a memorandum was submitted to collector Tina Dabi. Leaders of the march issued an ultimatum of January 31, threatening to organise a big agitation if the chhatris were not rebuilt by then. Some anti-social elements had demolished the chhatris erected at Basanpeer village, 20 km away from the district headquarters town, on January 27, 2020. These chhatris included those of warriors Ramchandra Sodha and Hudud Paliwal, who had become martyrs in the battle between two princely states.
“After the demolitions, a case was lodged at Sadar police station, and it was decided that the people of the minority community who had demolished the chhatris would rebuild them. But when the work started two days ago, the people of Basanpeer did not allow it and stopped the work. It has created resentment among the public,” said JDBS spokesperson Kanwar Raj Singh.
Prominent among the saints who joined the march were Pratapuri Maharaj and Bal Bharti of Gajroopsagar Math. Several functionaries from local Hindu organisations also walked in the procession.
Singh said that Ramchandra Singh had sacrificed his life in the battle between Jaisalmer and Bikaner fought near Basanpeer village in 1826.
The march started from Ambedkar Park and went up to the district collector’s office, where a demonstration was staged, and a memorandum was submitted to collector Tina Dabi. Leaders of the march issued an ultimatum of January 31, threatening to organise a big agitation if the chhatris were not rebuilt by then. Some anti-social elements had demolished the chhatris erected at Basanpeer village, 20 km away from the district headquarters town, on January 27, 2020. These chhatris included those of warriors Ramchandra Sodha and Hudud Paliwal, who had become martyrs in the battle between two princely states.
“After the demolitions, a case was lodged at Sadar police station, and it was decided that the people of the minority community who had demolished the chhatris would rebuild them. But when the work started two days ago, the people of Basanpeer did not allow it and stopped the work. It has created resentment among the public,” said JDBS spokesperson Kanwar Raj Singh.
Prominent among the saints who joined the march were Pratapuri Maharaj and Bal Bharti of Gajroopsagar Math. Several functionaries from local Hindu organisations also walked in the procession.
Singh said that Ramchandra Singh had sacrificed his life in the battle between Jaisalmer and Bikaner fought near Basanpeer village in 1826.
