Emergency seer meet
SECURING IMAGE Saints will discuss the issue in Haridwar on November 15-16 and formally appeal to all to end the controversy
Umbrella group of 5 lakh sadhus to discuss intolerance
ALLAHABAD: Unhappy with the acrimonious barbs and returning of awards by artistes and litterateurs as a mark of protest over “growing intolerance”, top seers of the country have decided to convene an emergency meeting in Haridwar to discuss the issue.
Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad—the umbrella organisation that unites five lakh seers associated with 13 recognised akharas—has convened an emergency meeting of the representatives of all ancient monastic orders where the saints plan to deliberate on the present controversy in the country in Haridwar on November 15 and 16.
The saints have resolved to discuss the issue and formally appeal to all to end this controversy that they believe is having an adverse impact on India’s reputation across the world.
Convenor of the meeting Narendra Giri, who is also the head of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, said a formal resolution would be passed to condemn the war of words over the growing intolerance in the country. In their resolution, the seers will also request President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of various states to intervene in the matter.
The seers hope that their efforts would help rid the country of the growing acrimony over intolerance.
“Sanatan dharm respects all religions. Returning of awards by artistes and litterateurs is harming the country’s reputation. By returning the awards, they are insulting the country as they have not been felicitated by an individual but the entire nation. After the Haridwar meeting, formal letters would be sent to the President and the Prime Minister requesting their intervention,” said Giri.
Giri, who is also the secretary of ‘Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani’, which has its headquarters in Allahabad said, “All the akharas have been informed about the emergency meeting and have confirmed their participation.”
He further said the resolution passed in the meeting would also be communicated to the Shankaracharyas, including Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopananda Saraswati Maharaj of Dwarka peeth (Gujarat) and Jyotirmath peeth (Uttarakhand) and Jagadguru Swami Nischalanand Saraswati of Govardhan Peeth, Puri (Odisha).
“If efforts to make peace between intellectuals and the government fail, we are prepared to start a campaign led by the Shankaracharyas,” added Giri.
THE SAINTS HAVE RESOLVED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE AND FORMALLY APPEAL TO ALL TO END THIS CONTROVERSY THAT THEY BELIEVE IS HAVING AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON INDIA’S REPUTATION ACROSS THE WORLD