Haridwar: Head of the famous Matri Sadan Ashram in Haridwar and Ganga activist Swami Shivanand Saraswati stoked a controversy saying inadequate arrangements by the state government and police have made Kumbh Mela "disgraceful".
"Non-religious persons and people who protest against river Ganga are housed in Haridwar. The Uttarakhand government is not bothered about our religion. It is only bothered about VIPs and VVIPs," the 70-year-old said.
He also said the police are not keeping an eye on ensuring social distancing and COVID-appropriate behaviour but are bothered about how quickly they can flee the devotees away.
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Saraswati said that it is difficult to organise religious ceremonies and functions in a place where "injustice" prevails. He was apparently referring to an increase in the spike in coronavirus cases in Haridwar.
The spiritual ideologue also raised questions on the arrangements done by organisers of the Kumbh Mela and the police administration.
He said, "When seers and priests take Shahi Snan, entry of VIPs and VVIPs are barred. But still, I was allowed to go there. Moreover, many people, despite showing negative COVID report, were not allowed to participate in Kumbh Mela. This is no less than wrongdoing."
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"Seers, saints and priests were allowed to take a holy dip in the water when dates were not in favour of Kumbh Mela. But from April 14 to May 14, when dates are in favour of organising Kumbh Mela, Akharas are not allowed to take Shahi Snan," he added.
"To control thirteen lakh devotees, the Director General of Police has to take the command. The duty of the police deployed for Kumbh Mela is to escort the devotees, who come to Haridwar, to the Ganga," he said.
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