Gujarat: HM Shah cancels programme to make way for ISKCON Janmashtami celebration
Gandhinagar, Aug 27 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, has cancelled his pre-scheduled programme at Town Hall in Gandhinagar’s Sector 17 on September 4 after the ISKCON group requested that the venue be made available for its Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, officials said on Thursday.
HM Shah, who represents Gandhinagar constituency in the Lok Sabha, was scheduled to hold a programme at the Town Hall on the same day that ISKCON had planned its Janmashtami event at the venue.
The matter was brought to his attention by the organisation, following which he decided to cancel his programme, according to officials. The decision was also acknowledged by ISKCON Gujarat in a letter addressed to Shah.
The organisation had sought his intervention to ensure that its Janmashtami celebrations could be held smoothly at the venue.
In the letter, ISKCON said: “We are grateful to Shah for his prompt personal intervention after he learnt about the festival. His decision to cancel his scheduled programme would allow devotees to participate in the celebrations comfortably and allow the event to proceed as planned.”
ISKCON also said the decision is particularly significant for the thousands of devotees and citizens expected to attend the celebrations.
The organisation expressed gratitude to Shah for responding to its request and prioritising the arrangements for the festival.
Shah is in Gujarat currently, during which he is scheduled to attend four programmes in Amreli district and Ahmedabad.
His visit began with the inauguration of the ‘Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar’ at Dudhala in Amreli, developed by the Harikrishna Group and Dholakia Foundation.
He is scheduled to attend the 72nd convocation of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad in the afternoon, followed by the Pharmainova Awards Ceremony-2026 organised by Troika Pharmaceuticals.
His final engagement is a ‘Lok Darbar’ in the Ghatlodia Assembly.
Shah’s participation in the Gujarat Vidyapith convocation was announced ahead of the visit, with the institution’s historical association with Mahatma Gandhi forming part of the significance of the event.
–IANS
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