After the incident in Hathras, the Akhara community is to identify “black sheep” in the saints’ community

Prayagraj (UP), July 7 For the second time in three years, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) – the highest decision-making body of the ancient Hindu monastic orders – is preparing to weed out “black sheep” among the saints.

In 2021, after the suicide of Mahant Narendra Giri, ABAP decided to identify fake saints and seers. Some members of the community, including his own disciples, were allegedly involved in Narendra Giri’s suicide.

Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of Akhara Parishad, told IANS on Sunday, “ABAP has convened a meeting here on July 17 and 18 to discuss preparations for the upcoming major religious festival Maha Kumbh 2025. At the meeting, the organisation also plans to issue guidelines and may even present a list of fake saints and seers.”

“It should also be demanded that such false and self-proclaimed seers should not be allowed to demand land and other facilities to set up camp on the banks of the Sangam during the 12-yearly fair,” he added.

Acharya Devendra Shastri, member of the executive committee of Akhara Parishad and Nirmal Anand Akhara, said that incidents like the one in Hathras tarnish the reputation of all saints and seers. “All 13 akharas must stand united on this issue and take a stand against false saints,” he said.

Shastri said the government also needs to discuss the issue because the saints on their front line have no agency to identify and take action against such fake babas.

“A few years ago too, we had prepared guidelines and identified fake saints under the aegis of Akhara Parishad, but after publishing the list of fake saints a few times, no further action was taken,” he added.

Shri Mahant Durgadas of Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udasin is also upset over the Hathras incident. He said many people have been posing as self-proclaimed saints by adding ‘Baba’ before their names to mislead the common man and gain a legion of followers.

He would like there to be a debate and discussion on this issue in Parliament as well.

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