BJP workers question ban on Baneshwar Dham fair

Jaipur, Feb 11 (IANS) Rajasthan BJP workers have questioned the ban on the much famous Baneshwar Dham fair and demanded permission for it saying it is the centre of tribal faith.

"Beneshwar Dham is the centre of tribal faith. Tribals coming from Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Pratapgarh and Gujarat are disappointed as the fair has been banned. Many tribals have a ritual to immerse mortal remains of their family members during this fair.

"Moreover, when permission was granted to pilgrims to visit the shrine of Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer during Urs when Corona was at its peak, why can't the same be given to us?" asked the party workers who later met the collector demanding lifting of the ban.

Banswara BJP District President Govind Singh Rao, along with other officials -- Hakru Mayda, Mukesh Rawat, Manohar Patel, Rajesh Katara, Gauravsinh Rao and other BJP leaders -- submitted a memorandum to the Collector for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

The workers said that a fair is held every year in Beneshwar. Every year, other communities along with the tribal families, come here to immerse the ashes of their loved ones. In such a situation, permission should be granted to this tribal fair which is held each year on the border of tribal dominated Banswara and Dungarpur districts.

Many businessmen from tribal communities set up their shops here. This gives income to their families and becomes a means of livelihood too, they added.

Rao said: "We urge the state government to stop playing with this appeasement policy and permit the fair or we shall organise a major protest."