Ujjain: In a bid to check VIP culture at world-fame Mahakaleshwar Temple, the Congress-led state government on Saturday announced banning VIP darshan during major festivals and occasion. However, a two-hour window would be allowed in the afternoon for darshan-pujan of peoples’ representatives, Supreme Court and High Court judges, senior IAS and IPS officers and those who enjoy protocol.
PWD minister and district in-charge Sajjan Singh Verma initiative was a given a go ahead by the chief minister on Saturday afternoon. Talking to reporters, Verma said that the state government was keen to abolish VIP culture during darshan-pujan arrangements at Mahakaleshwar Temple and was keen to reflect such changes in public domain.
Mis-arrangement at Mahakaleshwar Temple has brought bad name both for the state government and the local administration. Several complaints of extortion in the name of VIP darshan had been pouring in for some time. Misbehaviour with common devotees too had made headlines in recent past.
According to reports, Verma rang up Chief Secretary Sudhi Ranjan Mohanty twice between 7 and 8 pm over the issue. The latter later consulted the CM and informed Verma about the decision. An official release said that the decision was taken to streamline darshan arrangements during Mahashivratri festival falling on March 4.
Verma, who was to return to Indore early for his engagements, delayed the departure and first visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple where he entered from the common passage. Instead of VIP darshan, Minister had Mahakal Jyotirlingam’s darshan from outside the garbh griha.
He then summoned collector Shashank Mishra and police officers at the Circuit House and held a closed-door meeting. Later, collector issued order stating that people enjoying protocol would be allowed for darshan-pujan only for two hours between 2 pm and 4 pm during major festivals.
