Prayagraj, Jan 8 (IANS) After Kinnar Akhara, the Pari Akhara has also come out against the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad’s (ABAP) demand that no religious organisation be registered by the state government as Akhara.
President of the ABAP, Mahant Narendra Giri has said that there are 13 recognised Hindu monastic orders and there will be no additions.
Giri said: “Kul terah akhare hain aur terah hi rahenge (There are only 13 recognised Hindu monastic orders and the number will not increase).”
“There is no dispute if the seers and saints associated with Kinnar Akhara join Shahi snan and other religious activities with Juna Akhara in the forthcoming Kumbh at Haridwar,” he stated.
Mahant Narendra Giri further made it clear that seers and saints associated with the Akhara Parishad were opposed to recognition or registration of any new order as the 14th Akhara.
“Humne bina kisi ka naam liye, 14th akhare ke roop mein kisi ko manyata dene ka virodh kiya (Without taking any names we opposed addition of another Akhara as the 14th one),” he added.
ABAP General Secretary Mahant Hari Giri, who is the chief patron of Juna Akhara, has come out in support of Kinnar Akhara, which joined Juna Akhara in Kumbh 2019 under his patronage.
Giri said he can even leave the post of ABAP general secretary, but will support Kinnar Akhara.
“The administration had given all facilities to Kinnar Akhara at Kumbh in Ujjain and Prayagraj. The government will give them facilities at Haridwar also. Juna Akhara stands for the honour and respect of Kinnar Akhara,” Giri said.
The Pari Akhara has also opened a front against ABAP for calling Kinnar and Pari Akharas as ‘fake’.
Its Peethadhishwar, Mahant Trikala Bhavanta, said it was registered in 2013.
“When the government is doing so much for women, why should they be left behind in religion,” she said.
The issue of granting recognition to a new Akhara had come up during a recent meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad where the members said they would lodge protest if any organisation is recognised or allotted akhara status.
However, when seers and saints associated with Kinnar Akhara came to know about development, their head Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Laxmi Narayan Tripathi expressed concern and said ABAP should involve it in more constructive and productive work.
Tripathi said Prayagraj Kumbh had recognized us and despite acknowledging all the facts, there should be no unwanted statements or dispute on this issue.
ABAP General Secretary and patron of Juna Akara, Mahant Hari Giri told reporters that, “We have promised seers and saints associated with the Kinnar Akhara to protect their rights as it is part of Juna Akhara.”
–IANS
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