Rolu Picnic marks anniversary with world peace prayers, Goley stays away

NAMCHI, 21 Dec: The second anniversary of the Rolu Picnic was observed here on a sombre note with special prayers organised in the memory of the lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to avoid a repeat in the future. The Rolu event has shaped up as a gathering of groups and individuals politically opposed to the ruling front ever since the 2009 episode unveiled the dissidence of SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang. In the wake of the earthquake, however, the festivities were scaled down and even Mr. Tamang stayed away today.
Former MLA, Bhojraj rai, a close aide of Mr. Tamang, informed that the MLA was keeping unwell and hence could not make it to the prayers today.
Meanwhile, the venue saw a Vishwa Shanti Puja offered by Hindu priests. Devotees and Mr. Tamang’s supporters were in attendance. Interestingly, a handsome crowd had gathered in the early hours, but once it became clear that Mr. Tamang would not be attending the prayers, many returned after the initial rituals.
Speaking to media-persons after the prayers, Mr. Bhojraj Rai, addressing the political prism through which the Rolu picnic has come to be seen, stressed that they had never taken the Rolu get-together as a political event, adding that it was the Sikkim Democratic Party and the State Government which had made it political.
“For us, it is just a get together, initially to celebrate the festive season ahead and this year to pray for the lives lost to the earthquake,” he said.
He also took the opportunity to lash out against the Chief Minister’s comments against “Goley supporters” alleging them to be anti-social elements. In this regard, he countered with references to the violent attacks on his own house and on other supporters of Mr. Tamang, and contended that it was the ruling party which was displaying anti-social tendencies instead.
He also alleged today that SDF leaders had attempted to stop devotees and supporters from making it to Rolu today, and questioned why the SDF Government goes into panic-mode on every step of Mr. Tamang. “We have not opened a political party nor have we joined any anti-SDF party. We are only talking about the betterment of the Sikkimese people. Today also we organized a religious programme but SDF gave it a political colour and stopped people from attending,” he said.