Agra : Agra Divisional Commissioner Pradip Bhatnagar has ordered shifting of a centuries-old crematorium from the proximity of the iconic Taj Mahal here, outraging Hindutva organisations which threatened a mass movement.
Environmentalists claimed that the timeless beauty of the the 17th century monument of love is being threatened by smoke and soot from the cremation ground.
A parliamentary committee, headed by Congress member of the Rajya Sabha Ashwini Kumar, visited Agra last month. It expressed its concern and asked the government to investigate fears expressed by the anti-pollution activists.
“It was a matter of faith and religion,” a member of a Hindutva groups said while objecting to the relocation of the crematorium.
On Tuesday, all major voluntary organisations of the city will meet and discuss a strategy to stall the shifting of the crematorium.
The Shiv Sena, meanwhile, staged a protest at the divisional commissioner’s office on Monday.