Dehra Dun: Upset over Mahamandaleshwar of
Joona Akhara Swami Yatindranand`s announcement to lead Dalits
to Ganga for royal bath during Mahakumbh, Akhara Parishad
on Tuesday advised him not to play politics and said only Sadhus
belonging to 13 Akharas have the right to take "Shahi Snan".
No person or Sadhu other than those belonging to 13
Akharas has the right to take royal bath during Kumbh, said
Mahant Gyan Das, President of Akhara Parishad, an umbrella
organisation of all Akharas.
A Sadhu of any Akhara does not belong to any caste,
Mahant Gyan Das said, adding Swami Yatindranand Giri is
Mahamandaleshwar of Joona Akhara and is not expected to play
politics over the issue.
Swami Yatindranand Giri, who contested Lok Sabha polls on
BJP ticket last year, had recently announced that he would
lead Dalits to take royal bath and also take Muslims to
Har-Ki-Pauri, the main bathing ghat, during the four month-
long mela.
He said Akhara Parishad would seriously discuss the issue
in its next meeting on February 8 and indicated that a tough
decision can be taken against Swami Giri.
Meanwhile, Swami Yatindranand Giri said he is firm on his
decision to take Dalits for holy dip in river Ganga and said
the day will not coincide with `Royal Snan`, when Sadhus of
various Akharas take bath.
PTI
