Nasik, July 29: Mahants and sadhus, who arrived here for the forthcoming Kumbh Mela, have decided to boycott the 'Dhwaja Rohan Parva' (flag hoisting ceremony) at Nasik and Trimbakeshwar to protest the Centre's move to take over lands of Hindu mutts and temples all over the country. The decision was taken at a meeting held here last evening among the officials of the Shaiva Akhadas and mahants of the Vaishanav Akhadas at Nasik's Laxmi Narayan temple, according to Mahant Parmananda Saraswati, national president of Akhil Bhartiya Shambhu Dashnam Juna Akhada.
"Our boycott on flag hoisting is a symbolic protest against 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 Nasik and Trimbakeshwar have decided to keep away from the ceremony, to be held tomorrow, 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 has intervened into religious issues.
Mahants Narayandas, Madhavdas, Shivnandandas and city mayor Dashrath Patil were among those who attended the meeting.
Sagarananda Saraswati, president of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad, Camp Trimbakeshwar alleged that there was "no proper planning" by the government as rain water entered their ashram and many houses in the holy town. Bureau Report