DECEMBER 9, 2021
HARIDWAR: Prominent seers in Haridwar have condemned the provocative statements that were made at the ‘Dharma Sansad’ held recently in the holy city. Several speakers at the meeting had then lashed out at the minority community, with one even threatening to kill former PM Manmohan Singh for his alleged “appeasement views”.
Mahant Ravindra Puri of Mahanirvani Akhada said such remarks were “irresponsible” and “damaging to the religious and social harmony of India”.
The mahant, who was elected president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) by one faction of the apex seer body in October this year, said, “Negative comments against any religion are regrettable and should be avoided.”
Niranjani Akhada seer Ravindra Puri, elected ABAP president by another faction of the seer body around the same time, said in a similar vein that “those assembled for the Dharam Sansad should have chosen their words wisely while making public comments”.
Jairam ashram peethadhishwar Brahmachari Brahmaswarup was more empathic in his condemnation of the hate speeches. “Those making such statements cannot be called seers. If seers speak such a language, people will cease to have faith in them. The speeches that were made at the Sansad have truly lowered Haridwar’s dignity.”
The three-day Dharam Sansad, a closed-door event addressed by over 50 seers, was held from December 16 to 19 at the Ved Niketan Dham at Bhopatwala in Haridwar. It was organised by Yati Narsinghanand, the controversial priest of Dasna temple in Ghaziabad, who has often made provocative statements against certain communities.
Courtesy/Source: TOI
