‘ Ram katha’ in Ayodhya stops 2nd time in 11 yrs
Sources said delay in release of funds by the UP government for ARI was a factor in the disruption
The uninterrupted Ram Katha or Ram Leela that had been continuing uninterrupted since the past 11 years was halted for the second time on Thursday after a dispute between the “katha vachaks” who narrate the Ram Katha and the Ayodhya Research Institute ( ARI).
Sources said that delay in release of funds by the state government for the ARI was one of the main reasons behind the disruption.
“The Ram Katha was dis- rupted in 2013 because of the same reason and now it has happened again. There is no coordination between the government and its agencies and this does not augur well for the event,” said Pawan Shastri, a katha vachak ( narrator).
ARI director Y. P. Singh rubbished the allegation and claimed that vested interests were misguiding the people. He said that a selection committee was formed in which it was decided that intellectuals from Ayodhya and that of Sanskrit will prepare a list of “katha vachaks” and accordingly they will be invited.
Pawan Shastri said that the Ram Katha was being held without interruption on the demand of the local people as well as pilgrims. More than 10,000 to 50,000 pilgrims visit the city every day and attend these programmes to get a spiritual connect.
He alleged that, earlier, groups from others states were also called in, but now only artists from Ayodhya have formed groups in different names and perform.
Mr Y. P. Singh clarified: “The Ram Katha has not been stopped. As the new financial year has started it will be decided afresh how it is to be taken forward and what will be its shape and budget, for which a meeting has been called on April 6 which will be attended by the district magistrate and others.”
He said the ARI intends to organise kathas on a grander level.
“We are making efforts that the Ram Katha gets telecast on various reli- gious channels as it is of great importance,” he informed.
The ARI director said that the crisis was mainly because of the fact that initially the narrators did not take money but now they wanted remuneration for their work.
The ARI director said the institute has sent a proposal of ` 97 lakh to the government.
“With this money, we plan to organise training camps and also a big festival in which prominent spiritual leaders, who recite Ram Katha will be invited,” he said.