PATNA: The JD (U) has condemned the call for Bihar bandh on December 21, given by the
RJD in protest against the alleged sand crisis in the state.
"The day coincides with Shukrana Samaroh of the concluding ceremony of Prakashotsava," the ruling JD (U) said on Saturday and added the bandh would create hassles to thousands of Sikh devotees coming from across the country to participate in the concluding ceremony of the 350 birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
"Many Sikh devotees are inquiring about the impact of the bandh on transportation and other services. The Nitish Kumar government organised Prakashotsava celebrations on a large scale despite few Sikh voters in the state, which shows there is no political agenda behind it. But the RJD is trying to play politics even at the cost of hurting the religious sentiments of people," JD (U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.
While the Shukrana Samaroh cermeonies have commenced at Takhat Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara at Patna City from December 15, the main celebrations are slated to be held from December 23 to 25. The state government expects an estimated three lakh devotees to participate in the celebrations.
The JD (U) also attacked the Congress, alleging it was supporting the RJD's bandh call. "Political rivalry is understandable but they (RJD and Congress) can learn from Nitish to respect all religions," JD (U)'s spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.
Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee's working president Kaukab Quadri has, however, clarified that the Congress is not supporting the bandh. "The bandh call has been given by the RJD. We are not involved in it," Quadri told TOI.
