Controversy rocked the historical Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton programme in Lucknow on Saturday when a prototype of the baton was displayed at the Sahara Shaher here by the Sahara India Parivar.
The district administration took strong exception to the participation of Sahara India in this programme and said it was an insult to the Baton and Commonwealth Games.
According to sources, the Queen’s Baton, on way to Rae Bareli from here, was diverted from the convoy to Sahara Shaher. Mr Anil Sagar, Lucknow district magistrate, claimed that it was a “prototype and not the original baton.”
“We will file a complaint with the Centre in this regard and may initiate legal action, if required,” the district magistrate told reporters.
According to him, Sahara was never included in the official programme of the baton relay which had reached here on Friday evening.
“Five vehicles from the baton relay convoy were diverted to Sahara Shaher where it was to be received by Sahara India chief Subroto Roy. We are probing how this happened,” the district magistrate said.