Mahants, sadhus to boycott Kumbh ceremony

Mahants and sadhus who arrived for the Kumbh mela have decided to boycott the 'Dhwajarohan Parva' (flag-hoisting ceremony) at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar to protest against the Centre's move to take over lands of Hindu muths and temples all over the country.

The decision was taken at a meeting held on Monday evening among the officials of the Shaiva akhadas and mahants of the Vaishanav akhadas at Nashik's Laxmi Narayan Temple, according to Mahant Parmananda Saraswati, national president of the Akhil Bhartiya Shambhu Dashnam Juna Akhada.

"Our boycott is a symbolic protest against the central government and if the government does not change its decision, all sadhus and sants from all over the country would take out a morcha to Parliament House," Saraswati said.

As many as 13 akhadas in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar have decided to keep away from the ceremony, to be held on Wednesday, after giving ten days' ultimatum to the Centre to reconsider its decision. Saraswati alleged that the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had intervened into religious issues.

Mahants Narayandas, Madhavdas, Shivnandandas and city mayor Dashrath Patil were among those who attended the
meeting.

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