Stop the Desecration of Braj Bhumi

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Pranam. Please see message from activists based in Vrndavan, India and the IANS news article below. Anyone who can help in this effort please do.

Save Yamuna to save Vrindavan!

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Dear Friends,JIV JAGO!While we were sleeping, the government of India launched an aggressive, clandestine Master Plan for the gross desecration of the holy places of Vraja in the name of so-called development.To our horror, we awoke to the sickening vision of expansive concrete and steel tentacles taking root in the very heart of our sacred Yamuna River. No notice; no discussions; no permission; no respect. The sadhus and local residents were neither consulted with nor informed.What is happening? Who is responsible? What can be done? And where do we even start? Many confused pilgrims began and ended their Karttika parikrama with these thoughts, not knowing where to get the facts and answers.The fact is, details are being concealed from the general public and local residents and leaders in a document called the “Master Planâ€. This plan was never brought before any local council for sanctioning. It also

skipped over several important channels, such as receiving the appropriate official signatures and other required legal permissions from the archeological department. The Master Plan is being revealed only as it unfolds before our eyes and now we find ourselves asking, how was this able to happen? Where is the unified voice of the Braja vasis? And who is responsible for protecting Braja? Each citizen of Braja has a right to know, and to participate in creating responsible development in Braj, and local leaders have a special obligation to represent the real interests of the people, land, and culture of Braj.There are some who have already taken up the challenge to oppose this outrageous trespass against Braj. Mr. K.P.S. Gill has been instrumental in spearheading the coalition. As a result, an order was issued in November 2009 to temporarily suspend the construction, but was disregarded by the developers. Extensive research, maps, photos, and

facts are being compiled for presentation in the upcoming legal proceedings to oppose the construction at Kesi Ghat and offer alternative solutions.On December 23rd a meeting was called by Mr. K.P.S. Gill at Laksmi Rani Kunja at Kesi Ghat, Vrndavan, to discuss the immanent threat: a highway being constructed through the Yamuna river, running parallel to her banks. Repercussions discussed ranged from environmental to social. Those present included Sriman Sevak Sharan ji, Sriman Padmanabha Gosvami, Sriman Srivatsa Gosvami, Sripad B.A. Parmadvaiti Svami, Sriman Shyam das (Vallabh Sampradaya), Sriman Niraj ji (Food for Life), and several volunteer activists. All present expressed a commitment to protecting this living monument and cultural heritage.The meeting laid a foundation for forming a strong united brajavasi coalition to protect Braj from such exploitive invasions. The first public opposition rally was also organized. Various

communities of Vrndavan are uniting for the rally and Kirtan march to save Yamuna ji. All Vaisnavas, Brajavasis, and well wishers of Vrindavan are being invited to join together in a nam sankirtan march at noon on Christmas day from Imli Tala to Keshi Ghat, where Yamuna puja will be performed.When we informed our Gurudeva, Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, of the recent developments, he commented, "In my opinion all should oppose the plan for the destruction of the Holy places in Vraja. This idea is very bad and comes from those who are atheist, who have no faith in Krsna. Please express my sympathy and solidarity to Mr Gill. Our devotees can participate in the kirtan march tomorrow and protest against the government plan."We pray to the lotus feet of our rupanuga-guru-varga, to our siksa and diksa gurus Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada, and Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, that we will always have the

courage and intelligence to be vigilant and proactive in serving and protecting sri Vrndavan dham.Aspiring for the mercy of sri hari guru and vaisnavas,Manjari dasi & Manjari dasiSeva Kunja, Vrindavan

 

 

 

 

Vrindavan eco-activists launch Save Yamuna campaignDecember 26th, 2009 - 4:00 pm ICT by IANS -

 

 

Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 26 (IANS) Even as preparations are underway here for a large religious festival starting next month, eco-activists led by former director general of police K.P.S. Gill and working under the Save Yamuna to Save Vrindavan campaign have demanded rethinking on building a new bridge at the heritage Keshi Ghat.Though district authorities are working overtime to ensure that basic civic infrastructure is ready by early January for the festival they call a Kumbh Mela, leaders of various Akharas (Hindu sects) in Vrindavan are not satisfied with the state of preparedness.

“Time is running out and our chief worry is the sad state of river Yamuna,†a sadhu near the Keshi Ghat said.

A festival is held every 12 years in Vrindavan, the centre of Sri Krishna’s Braj Bhoomi, that attracts millions of devotees. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna river, Vrindavan attracts hundreds of thousands of Krishna devotees from all parts of the world for the festival, this time beginning Jan 20.

A tented township is coming up on the dry river bed where hundreds of organisations, eco-groups and sadhus of different Hindu sects will put up stalls. District Magistrate Dinesh Shukla has constituted a committee to monitor the progress of the civil works.

Acharya Jaimini, an eminent musicologist of Vrindavan, told IANS: “So far the town is ill-prepared for hosting a big show like the Kumbh. They should have started six months ago.â€

District authorities said a request had been made to the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department to release water in the river so that the pollution level is brought down and there is enough water for the mass bathing programme.

Hundreds of temples and dharamshalas (guest houses) in the pilgrimage town are gearing up to meet the expected rush of pilgrims to begin immediately after Makar Sankranti, Jan 14.

Braj Foundation, an NGO, is engaged in resurrecting and restoring heritage spots and water bodies, according to Raghav Mittal, project director.

Meanwhile, environmentalists and eco-activists marched in a procession Friday afternoon to protest construction of the new bridge.

“The new bridge will also increase the level of pollution in the river,†an activist said.

A sadhu said Yamuna was the lifeline of Braj Mandal. “The river has to be saved at any cost.â€Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/vrindavan-eco-activists-launch-save-yamuna-campaign_100294889.html#ixzz0awX5rG67