No 'shahi snan' of Ardh Kumbh?

ALLAHABAD: Sadhus have threatened to boycott the first 'shahi snan' (royal bath) of the Ardh Kumbh on January 15 if the quality of Ganga water did not improve.

Sadhus under the banner of 'khak chowk organizing committee' gave this ultimatum even as the Allahabad High Court was informed about some improvement in the water level and that it had become somewhat clean at the Sangam but still appeared reddish near the banks.

The High Court had directed Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that the water released from Narora dam reaches here and is not diverted on the way through lift canals.

Swami Hari Chaitanya Brahmachari, who has been agitating over the Ganga water issue, has threatened to take 'jal samadhi' on Friday.

The swami, who led a march of sadhus from 'dandi swami camp' to the bank of the Ganga on Thursday, is being persuaded by others to defer his threat.