Last rites of Sunil Dutt fuel controversy,farewell to a Giant

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Last rites of Sunil Dutt fuel controversy,farewell to a Giant

By RAJU GUSAIN
www.garhwalpost.com
Rishikesh:Misty eyed people attended the last rites of Union Sports Minister and famous Bollywood actor Sunil Dutt here on 30 May. It was heart-rending sight to watch Sanjay Dutt consoling his weeping sister Priya.

The 'asthi visarjan' was performed near the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. For security reasons, the main road to the Parmarth Niketan was blocked and local people were left with no option but to witness the proceedings from the far bank of the Ganga, from the Laxman Jhula side.

Sunil Dutt's son Sanjay Dutt, son-in-law Kumar Gaurav and daughters Priya and Namrata were present for the ceremony. The urn containing the ashes of Sunil Dutt was immersed in the Ganga.

Terming Sunil Dutt a champion of communal harmony, Chief Minister ND Tiwari said, "Dutt Sahib was popular, both, in the reel and real world. His popularity is also proved by the fact that he never lost any election in his lifetime."

In the morning at the Ashram:
The Parmarth Niketan Ashram was the hub of vigorous activity right from the morning. Most of the staff was busy giving finishing touches to the final rites. One small boy was heard saying, "Come, I will show you Sanju Baba." "Sanju who," asked the other. "Arrey bhai, Munna Bhai MBBS walla," came the reply.

The controversy:
The last rites were begun with the chanting of Ganesh Vandana. The next day, on 31 May, a section of the priests in Haridwar burned an effigy of Chidanand Swami of the Parmarth Niketan. They charged him with not performing the last rites according to the Hindu rituals. They aver that Ganesh Vandana is performed only at the start of auspicious work, not before the last rites. Incidentally, the Parmarth Niketan also came under fire for taking Sanjay Dutt and other members of the family to perform Ganga Aarti on 29 May. It was alleged that according to Hindu rituals, a member of the deceased family is considered 'Ashudh' during the primary mourning period, which lasts till the teheraveen and thus should not have participates in the Aarti.

This agitation is being attributed by many to the chagrin felt by the Haridwar priests that the rites were performed at Rishikesh instead of the most revered spot, Har ki Pauri. Religious scholars feel that having made the effort to come to state, Sanjay should have been taken to the spot where the path to heaven is considered most direct.

The filmi touch:
Finding a Bollywood star like Sanjay Dutt around, Chadanand Swami too became a little filmi. Rather then quoting something inspiring from the Bhagwad Gita or the Vedas, the holy man opted for a mix of Hindi film songs like "Jeena usi ka naam hai, Jo kisi ka ho gaya."

Media fever:
Sometimes, media persons belonging to the TV news channels cross professional boundaries, causing embarrassment to fellow journalists. One electronic media person asked Sanjay Dutt, "Your comments on your father?" Sanjay gave him a hard look and moved on. Another TV journalist asked Sanjay, "Could you please answer two questions?" Sanjay asked, "Questions related to what?" "Asthi visarjan," the journalist replied. "If someone's father dies and he is asked to comment on the Asthi visarjan, how would that person feel?" On hearing this, the media person disappeared from the scene.

Conclusion:
One has to pay a heavy price for being a celebrity. The last rites of Sunil Dutt and the controversy emerging from it, once again highlight this. Rather than allowing the ceremony to be a private affair, it was turned into an event. A big event! The resulting stress was evident on the Dutt family.

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anita_5000

its a bit sad how celebrities lives actually end up being this whole media circus. Media actually elevates and gives them the 'star' value and ultimately ends up interfering in the most personal aspects of their lives.