A day after some seers of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad vented anger over the Chief Minister having not cared to even ring them up to share their anguish over the disappearance of the akhada’s national spokesperson Mahant Mohan Das, the State Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj visited the akhada in Kankhal as a representative of the State Government on Friday.
Meanwhile, the anguished seers staged a “rosh rally” from Shivmurti to Har Ki Pauri on the same day, demanding the missing seer be immediately traced.
The seers had earlier slammed the State Government for having failed to share their concern over the missing spokesperson of the akhada. They also had cried foul of Maharaj celebrating his birthday at his Prem Nagar ashram with pomp and show when the seers were troubled over the whereabouts of the missing seer. Seemingly, stung by the critticism, the Minister reached the akhada along with the BJP MlA from rural Haridwar Swami Yateeshwaranand to assuage the hurt feelings of the saints a day after his birthday was celebrated.
The seers demanded the Minister to ensure that the probe in the matter is conducted on priority.
Swami Harichetananand of Bada Akhara said, “It is unfortunate that such things are happening to the saints. The State Government cannot care less.”
Maharaj on his part spoke to the Chief Minister’s office in Uttar Pradesh and assured the saints that he would send all the details to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister office through email and would also do everything to expedite the probe. “The welfare of the society cannot be thought of wihout the welfare of the saints. Such incidents are dangerous for the society as a whole,” said the Minister.
The Minister also spoke to the DGP Uttarakhand and took update from CO J P Juyal over the matter. Srimahant Maheshwar Das, Mahant Raghumuni, Mahant Durgadas, Mahant Sukhdev Muni and Mahant Rammuni were among the saints present during the Minister’s visit.
Meanwhile, braving the rain, the saints of Akhada Parishad marched from Shivmurti to Har Ki Pauri in the afternoon along with some Congress leaders and the city mayor who is from BJP. Brahmswaroop Brahmchari, Baba Hathyogi and Gopal Muni demanded a thorough probe into Das’ disappearance.