Holy Men Threaten Mass Suicide during Ardh Kumbh Mela

The mass suicide threat by Sanyasis (holy men) is in protest at the pollution of the Ganges. The protests against pollution were announced at a joint meeting of holy men and religious teachers in Allahabad. The untreated sewage in the river poses a serious risk to pilgrims from fecal coliform bacteria. (link)

The attempt to clean Ganges – the holiest river in Hinduism – started in 1985. Millions of rupees have been spent on several Clean Ganga Projects but the Ganga continues to be one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra who has been in the forefront to clean up Ganges says that government incompetence and lethargy are the main problems.

Ganges - the holy river - is today exposed to unimaginable amount of sewage, industrial and chemical effluents.

The present government at the center cites cash crunch as a reason for not cleaning up Ganges.

If there is a will, then there is a way.

Earlier:

What is Kumbh Mela?

Legend of Kumbh Mela

Significance of Kumbh Mela

What is Ardh Kumbh Mela?

Ardh Kumbh Mela Allahabad 2007