The disciple of Shivananda Saraswati of Matri Sadan ashram, Atmabodhananda is on a hunger-strike again demanding extension of the Ardh Kumbh area.
The ashram founder has threatened to join his disciple in the protest if the demands are not met by the district administration. He has also asked members of the religious fraternity to clarify whether their priority focus is on mining activity or on the flow of water in the Ganga.
Opposing him, members of the Akhil Bhartiya Sanatan Sant Samaj have announced his boycott demanding Shivananda’s ouster from the Mela zone. National president of the ABSSS Mahant Vinod Giri said, “Earlier seven streams of Ganga used to flow in Saptsarovar area which got its present name on account of the same, but now not a single stream is flowing in the region. Silt is hampering flow of water near the Ganga ghats in Saptsarovar.”
Shivananda said that Kumbh area must be extended to include Bhogpur and Bishenpur villages about 32 kms from the existing Kumbh area.
He told The Pioneer that after the Purna Kumbh mela of 2010, the Mela administration had spoken of extending the Kumbh area. Considering the rising pilgrim numbers the Kumbh area should be expanded by including laksar tehsil and its villages, said Shivananda, while adding that the Government has not taken any action yet on his suggestions.
When asked for his response to the boycott announced by his opponents, Shivananda said that a boycott fueled by ignorance is inconsequential. However, he stressed on the need to consider the reasons for water flow not reaching the Ganga ghats.
He alleged that members of the religious fraternity demanding quarrying on the Ganga were pursuing vested interests. Shivananda said, “There are two means for restoring the water flow to its full capacity- increasing the discharge rate from Pashulok barrage or divert the existing water stream towards the ghats by putting up a stone barricading. We conducted a survey on February 7 using Google earth to confirm that there is no major change marked in the belt after 2013 floods as regards the quantum of boulders. It has been scientifically proved that no heavy boulders come from upstream in the Ganga riverbed so the need of mining is ruled out. The water level indeed has been reduced since the ghats earlier had 4 -5 ft deep water but now they hardly have any water.”