Asked To Leave Before PM Came, Alleges Rock Garden Creator's Son

Chandigarh: The son of late Nek Chand, creator of the Chandigarh's iconic 'Rock Garden', today alleged that a Prime Minister's security official asked him to leave the venue before PM Narendra Modi joined French President Francois Hollande for a tour of the popular tourist place.

Anuj Saini, Mr Chand's son, said he was asked to "go out" of the Rock Garden despite having an entry card issued by the UT Chandigarh Administration.

The incident took place about 10 minutes before the PM Modi's arrival at the Rock Garden around 2.30 pm, Mr Saini told Press Trust of India.

"I was standing inside the Rock Garden where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to receive the French President. I had proper authorisation in this regard. But just 10 minutes before Modi arrived, PM's security official AIG Balwan Singh told me I was not allowed to stand there saying there was no order from the PMO," he said.

"To ensure that I leave the venue, a police official was also deputed (to escort me out). It was like I was being thrown out of my own house," he alleged.

Advertisement

Mr Saini said he left the venue as he felt insulted. "Why should I have stayed there?"

Claiming he had a proper pass given by the government for the occasion, he said even UT Adviser Vijay Dev and Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal asked him about the incident.

Advertisement

"They asked me who told me to go out. When I explained the whole situation to them, they said it was wrong," he said. Feeling humiliated, Saini said he did not go back.

Created in 1976 by Nek Chand Saini who died in June last year, Rock Garden features sculptures made from rubble from when Chandigarh was built.