The Asthi Kalash Yatra of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is in progress to immerse his ashes in Ganga river at Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Along with Vajpayee’s family members, the yatra is being attended by BJP President Amit Shah, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Sadhus, religious leaders and other prominent citizens are also attending the procession.
Earlier this morning, three urns carrying ashes of the departed leader were collected from Delhi’s Smriti Sthal. His daughter Namita Bhattacharya and other family members were there to collect the ashes.
BJP leader Bhupender Yadav told reporters that Vajpayee’s ashes will be immersed in 100 sacred rivers across the country and the ‘asthi kalash’ will be taken to all district headquarters and state capitals. He said an all-party prayer meeting for the departed leader will be held in New Delhi tomorrow. It will be attended by leaders from different political parties and prominent citizens. Mr Yadav said, Prayer meetings will also take place in the state capitals, district headquarters and at the panchayat level. In Lucknow, the prayer meeting will be held on 23 August. It will be attended by BJP Leader Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister and Vajpayee’s relatives among others. Former prime minister’s ashes will also be immersed in the Gomati river at Lucknow.
One of the most charismatic leaders of independent India, Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi on Thursday at the age of 93. He was cremated with full State honours at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in the national capital on Friday.
