Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu & Kashmir Unit president Manish Sahni today strongly opposed the decision to hand over the management of the ashram of yoga guru Dhirendra Brahmachari and the International Yoga Centre at Mantalai in Udhampur to an outside organization, calling it a direct attack on Jammu’s priceless heritage and Dogra identity.
In this regard, the activists of Shiv Sena staged a protest holding placards reading “Jammu’s Property, Jammu’s Right.”
Addressing to the media, Sahni said that Mantalai is not merely a tourist destination but a living symbol of Jammu’s cultural, historical and religious identity.
“Developed at a cost of crores as a world-class facility, the first right over this land it belongs to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Handing it over to an external agency, is not only unjust to local youth and talent but also reflects the government’s lack of trust in its own people,” he said.
Sahni alleged that assigning responsibility to outside agencies would directly impact employment opportunities for local youth and push them to the margins.
“When public money has been spent in the name of development, its benefits and control should remain with Jammu & Kashmir, not be transferred to any external organization,” he said and demanded that the management of the Mantalai Yoga Centre be immediately handed over to the Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC), with full priority given to local youth in all appointments.
Sahni further warned that if the Government failed to reconsider its decision, Shiv Sena will launch a strong agitation on the streets.
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