Trimbakeshwar (Mah) July 30: The Kumbh mela which began here today was marred by protests by sadhus who obstructed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from entering Kushavarta Teerth here where the ceremonial flag was to be hoisted. One hundred sadhus belonging to various Akhadas and led by President of Panch Dashnam Juna Akhada, Mahant Parmanand Saraswati, who had been boycotting the event, obstructed him to protest the government plan to acquire the temples.

Speaking to reporters at Ganga-Godavari Temple, Bhujbal said the sadhus were protesting the Centre's move to acquire lands of Hindu mutts, temples all over the country. Bhujbal said he informed Saraswati that the matter did not fall under Maharashtra government and assured the mendicants of his readiness to discuss their demands with the Centre.

The sadhus also complained that adequate funds were not provided to Trimbakeshwar town while lot of money was spent on the development of Nasik city.

Bhujbal assured the sadhus that their demands could be resolved through discussions and urged them not to disturb thousands of pilgrims who had gathered here for the ceremony and withdraw the boycott. He was then allowed to proceed to the venue.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Shipping Dilip Gandhi had met Mahant Parmanand Saraswati at the latter's Neel Parvat Camp and urged him to withdraw their boycott.

Bureau Report