Congress President Sonia Gandhi has given up plans to visit the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Haridwar to avoid any "inconvenience" to the devotees and saints who have gathered there for the auspicious occasion. In a message, Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson, underlined the importance of the Kumbh, saying that the society has deep faith in the age-old festival.
"I was invited to attend the holy festival by people of Haridwar and saints for which I thank them. I wanted to come, but I decided against attending keeping in mind the inconvenience it would cause to anyone," she said. She hoped that the people would continue to get inspired by the path shown by saints and philosophers centuries ago. PTI