Ex-BJP MP can’t have food with fellow seers

union minister Swami Chinmayanand, accused of rape by a law student and now in judicial custody, was barred by his akhada on Saturday from dining with fellow seers and attending its meetings.

Chinmayanand has been associated with Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani.

Mahant Ramsevak Giri, secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani, said that in light of the charges levelled against Chinmayanand, it was decided to bar him from having meals with fellow seers of the monastic order on all formal occasions. Giri also said Chinmayanand will not be invited or allowed to attend formal meetings of the akhada.

The action comes at a time when the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) — apex decision-making body of the 13 recognised akhadas – is set to meet in Haridwar on October 10 to discuss, among other things, possible action against Chinmayanand, including his expulsion from the seer community.

Chinmayanand is a disciple of Mahanirvani Akhada’s Mahamandaleshwar Swami Bhajnanand and in that right a member of the Mahanirvani Akhada, Swami Giri said.

He said that the restriction of Chinmayanand will remain in place till he gets absolved of all charges levelled against him.

Swami Narendra Giri, head of ABAP and secretary of Panchayati Akhara Niranjani, has said the conduct of Chinmayanand was in violation of the norms for seers. “If the representatives of 13 akhadas present at the October 10 meet agree on it, he could be expelled from the community,” Narendra Giri said.