No sniffer dogs at Rajghat, says trustee
November 3rd, 2010 - 6:14 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) No “sniffer” dog will be allowed into Rajghat before US President Barack Obama visits the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, a mistake committed during then president George W. Bush’s 2006 visit that sparked a huge row, Rajghat Samadhi Committee’s secretary said.
“We learn from mistakes and don’t repeat them. It was a mistake to bring sniffer dogs to Rajghat in 2006 and it will not be repeated when Obama visits next week,” Rajnish Kumar, secretary of the Rajghat Samadhi Committee, told IANS.
In 2006, Bush was received at Rajghat by noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande. Now that she is no more, Obama will be welcomed by Kumar.
Earlier, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi had cautioned Indian American authorities against repeating the ’sniffer dog’ mistake.
“I know security is a concern and it has changed the way we live. But would they have allowed sniffer dogs at Lincoln Memorial or Washington monuments before our prime minister and president visits? There should be dignity in bilateral relations,” Tushar Gandhi said Tuesday.
“I also understand that Mani Bhavan (the Gandhi museum in Mumbai) will be closed for two days prior to Obama’s visit. That is also not right,” he added.
Obama is scheduled to visit India Nov 6-8. He will visit Rajghat Nov 8.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for security U.K. Chaudhary said he was aware of the 2006 incident and promised it will not happen this time.
- At Rajghat, Obama will be an ordinary man - Nov 04, 2010
- Bush visit was memorable, Obama's very special: Rajghat official - Nov 08, 2010
- Gandhi's light continues to inspire, says Obama; gifts King memorabilia - Nov 08, 2010
- Special gift for Obama: a spinning wheel - Nov 08, 2010
- Obama gifts King memorial stone piece to Rajghat - Nov 08, 2010
- Michelle Obama visits Delhi's National Crafts Museum - Nov 08, 2010
- Unusually large crowd surprises Rajghat officials - Aug 19, 2011
- Obama visits Rajghat, pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi - Nov 08, 2010
- US-India ties indispensable in 21st century: President Obama - Nov 07, 2010
- Obama, Manmohan begin talks - Nov 08, 2010
- Commoner to leader, thousands pay homage to the Mahatma - Oct 02, 2011
- US President's official itinerary in India - Nov 04, 2010
- Obama to celebrate Diwali with Indian kids - Oct 28, 2010
- US firms to sign large contracts on Obama's India visit - Oct 28, 2010
- New Delhi turned into fortress ahead of Obama's visit - Nov 07, 2010
Tags: american authorities, barack obama, bilateral relations, commissioner of police, deputy commissioner, deshpande, dignity, gandhi museum, george w bush, lincoln memorial, mahatma gandhi memorial, mumbai, New Delhi, president george w bush, president visits, rajghat, samadhi, sniffer dogs, tushar gandhi, washington monuments