Top Hindu body upset with Uddhav govt, also has advice for Udit Raj

The apex decision making body of the 13 recognised Hindu monastic orders of the country— Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP)— has expressed strong resentment over the continued closure of mutts and temples in Maharashtra despite Centre’s Covid-19 Unlock 5.0 guidelines released further relaxing the restrictions on commencement of religious activities.

The parishad also condemned a tweet by Congress leader Udit Raj, which questioned the expenditure of Rs 4,200 crore in organising Kumbh mela-2019 in Prayagraj.

“It is a matter of grave concern that saints and priests have to agitate for opening of the mutts and temples in Maharashtra. After being opened in UP, the mutts and temples are following the corona guidelines completely and so will the venues located in Maharashtra,” said ABAP chief Mahant Narendra Giri.

Giri further asked: “If Maharashtra CM is not opening the temples, who is he insulting? Is he insulting the saint community and the priests or is he insulting Hindu gods and goddesses and the Sanatan dharma?”

Giri added that Maharashtra CM’s father, late Bal Thackeray, being a Hindu leader, always respected the saints but the government of Maharashtra seemed to be on the wrong path of arrogance.

“Instead of treading the path of his father, it seems Uddhav has forgotten family values, respect towards saints, ignoring Sanatan Dharma just to gain political mileage,” said Akhada Parishad general secretary Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj.

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“Why have bars and liquor shops been opened in Maharashtra amid the Covid-19 threat if that is the reason for keeping temples and shrines closed? It is quite ironic that places of worship are deemed prone to the spread of Covid-19, while beaches, bars, restaurants, malls, hotels, cineplexes are deemed safe. Temple management committees and civic bodies can ensure adhering to social distancing norms, wearing of face masks, sanitiser at religious places too,” said Kothari Mahant Jasvinder Singh of Shri Panchayati Akhada Nirmal, Kankhal.

Saints also suggested that measures such as registration of other state/district pilgrims, e-passes/tokens, usage of technology for access control, not allowing prasadam to be served, not allowing touching of deities’ idols, bells, donation boxes, and darshan from a certain distance can be adhered to as in Char Dham shrines of Shri Badrinath, Shri Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand.

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The issue of alleged encroachment of temples in Kashi and Mathura also came up for discussion in parishad’s informal meeting at Mathura on Thursday.

“It pains us to see that our temples are encroached in Kashi and Mathura and we will undertake all steps that are permissible under the Constitution to free the temple premises as was done in the case of Ayodhya,” Giri said.

Giri also lashed out at Congress leader Udit Raj for questioning state spending on organising Kumbh-2019.

Udit Raj’s tweet was in reaction to Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statement that it was not the job of a government to run institutions that teach religious scriptures.

(With inputs from Sandeep Rawat)