Ayodhya seers to take on khaps for their ex-disciple Brij Bhushan

LUCKNOW : It was in Ayodhya that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh rose to become the general secretary of the students’ union of Saket PG College and learnt the mainstream politics while practising wrestling under the watchful eyes of priests of Hanuman Garhi temple.

Now, when the outgoing president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is facing allegations of sexual harassment by medal-winning wrestlers, seers of Ayodhya have decided to throw their weight behind Singh’s ‘Jan Chetna Maha Rally’ at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya to make it a mega-show on June 5.

Followers of Mani Ram Das Chhavni Peeth of Ayodhya based in Varanasi, Haridwar and Mathura cities will also attend the rally. Sinking their differences, seers of Ayodhya have come on a common platform to extend support to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who was also a known face of the Ram Mandir movement of 1980-90s.

The all-powerful Mani Ram Das Chhavni Peeth led by Mahant Kamal Nayan Das and the Lakshman Qila faction led by Mahant Maithili Raman Sharan have set aside their differences to present a united front of Ayodhya seers behind Singh.

“Brij Bhushan’s roots are deeply entrenched in Ayodhya. From college days to mainstream politics and Ram Mandir movement, he has spent a long part of his life in Ayodhya. He was a local resident then and was closely associated with seers, especially sadhus of Hanuman Garhi temple,” said a prominent seer of Ayodhya.

“Brij Bhushan’s clout in Ayodhya is such that seers of various factions have come on a common platform to extend support to him,” he added. “All charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh are politically motivated and fake. We demand a probe and action against those who are responsible for this controversy,” said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das.

Kamal Nayan is successor to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chairman of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust. The VHP cadre at Karsewakpuram in Ayodhya, the epicentre of the Ram Mandir movement, is also mobilising support for Singh’s June 5 rally in Ayodhya. However, all this support is unofficial.

“There is no directive from the organisation (VHP) for Brij Bhushan Sharan’s rally. Whatever we are doing is due to his (Singh’s) close association with the Ram Mandir movement,” said a VHP office bearer based at Karsewakpuram.

Seers became all the more important for Brij Bhushan after many khaps of Haryana and farmer outfits of western Uttar Pradesh led by Rakesh Tikait extended their support to the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

“The only option left for Brij Bhushan to counter khaps and farmer outfits was by mobilising support of Ayodhya seers. Singh’s association with Ayodhya, its seers and the Ram Mandir movement was more than enough for seers to come out in his support,” said a prominent seer of Ayodhya. The seers are also demanding amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

“Innocent people were being harassed by misusing the Pocso Act. Fake allegations are being levelled against them, especially seers, mahants and politicians. It must be amended,” demanded Mahant Kamal Nayan Das.

This demand is not without reason. After the Supreme Court’s order, the Delhi on April 29 this year lodged two FIR against Brij Bhushan. The first FIR was under the Pocso Act on the complaint of sexual harassment by a minor wrestler.

All charges against Brij Bhushan are politically motivated and fake. We demand a probe & action against those who are responsible for the controversy

MAHANT KAMAL NAYAN DAS