Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh): After being attacked over an audio clip in which Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ram Vilas Vedanti purportedly made objectionable comments against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath, Paramhans Das, a Hindu saint, admitted that he leaked the clip because he wanted to reveal the politics behind the Trust that is to be set up for construction of Hindu temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya.
"I leaked the audio because I wanted people to know the true characters of leaders such as Ram Vilas Vedanti," Das told ETV Bharat.
The Hindu seer is a member of 'Tapasvi Ji Ki Chhavni', a seat of Hindu seers in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Das was also allegedly attacked by Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas chairman Nritya Gopal Das over the same audio recording in which he allegedly passed objectionable remarks against Gopal Das, chief of the influential Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.
Elaborating on the entire incident, Das said, "Despite his casteist remark against UP CM, Ram Vilas Vedanti escaped unharmed from the controversy owing to his influence and political connection, but, I ended up being attacked by Nritya Gopal Das and his henchmen. They came to Tapasvi Ji Ki Chhavni and attacked me."
Das added, "I requested them to approach the police or the court in case they found my action offensive. They also vandalised the Chawani which is one of the oldest in the country."
Das, who is currently in Varanasi after "escaping" the attack on him, is demanding security by the state police.
"I would be killed like Kamlesh Tiwari if I am not provided with adequate security. I won't go back until I am assured of my safety."
On allegation being laid against him for orchestrating the entire episode out of sheer greed for a position in the Trust, Das said, "So far as the Director's position in the trust is concerned, I think there is no one better than PM Modi to head the Trust."
When asked about him being expelled from his organisation, Das stated, "I respect my Guru and I know that he must have taken the decision under immense pressure being put on him by Ram Vilas Vedanti and Nritya Gopal Das."
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Sarveshwar Das, the head of Tapasvi Ji Ki Chhavni, expelled his disciple Paramhans Das from the organization over the audio clip on Saturday.
Das told reporters on Saturday that his disciple, whose original name was Uday Narain Das, was a self-proclaimed mahant and jagatguru. He also said Paramhans Das had never discharged his duties as a saint.
With the focus now on the trust that will be formed to oversee the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, politics on the issue is gaining ground.
Many of the Hindu saints in Aydhoya are making efforts to make it to the panel. One of the names doing the rounds is UP CM Yogi Adityanath with many proposing his name to head the proposed trust. However, not everyone is happy with the choice.
The audio clip allegedly involving former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti went viral on social media in which he's heard speaking against Adityanath. He also slams Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, in this purported audio clip.
This audio clip purportedly a recording of conversation between Vedanti and Paramhans Das of Tapasvi Ji Ki Chhavni.
In the audio clip, Vedanti is heard urging Paramhans Das to float his name for the chairmanship of the new trust. Vedanti, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader and head priest of Vashisht Bhavan in Ayodhya, is heard opposing Adityanath’s name for the same post on the ground that he belonged to a different sect of saints.
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During this alleged conversation, both Vedanti and Paramhans Das were heard making objectionable comments about Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.
