Akhada Parishad gives one week ultimatum to state govt

HARIDWAR: The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, apex body of akhadas and seers, on Thuesday gave one week ultimatum to the state government and warned of starting an agitation if the Char Dham Devasthanam Board is not abolished by November 30.

Making it clear that Akhada Parishad (Bairagi faction) won’t opt for dialogue process or wait beyond November 30 deadline, its president Mahant Ravindra Puri said if the state government doesn’t repeal the Act formed in 2019, then they would be forced to stage a pan-India agitation.

Cautioning governments across the country to refrain from such steps to manage or acquire management of shrines, temples and muths (monastic institutions), Ravindra Puri said centuries old management traditional practice where temple priests, committed, stakeholders and local devotees manage the shrines should not be disturbed.

“When such a tradition exists for centuries and which has been successful, then why the governments are trying to fiddle with such practices which affect the interests of priests and temple stakeholders. The Uttarakhand government should abolish the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board and hand the reins back to priests,” said Ravindra

Puri. He cited deceased Akhada Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri also opposing the said Act and handing a memorandum in this regard to state chief minister to nullify the Act.

“We also raised issue of government interference and acquiring of management of shrines, temples at all India saint convention at Kalika Muth, Kalkaji temple premises in New Delhi.

“With Central government repealing the three farm laws, Uttarakhand government should similarly follow suit and repeal the Char Dham Devasthanam Board soon,” said Rajendra Das, general secretary of Akhara Parishad and head of Nirmohi Akhara.

BJP legislator from Doiwala Trivendra Singh Rawat, during whose chief ministeriarship Char Dham Devasthanam Board was enacted, said the board was formed in long term interest of all and for transparent, better management of Char Dham and associated 47 temples.

Congress national general secretary Harish Rawat said the Congress was with farmers opposing the three farm laws and it is also with the saints and priests against state government interference in managing of the revered Char Dham shrines.

The priests have been protesting against Char Dham Board for last nearly two years. In 2019, the state assembly passed the Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board Bill.