PRAYAGRAJ: Mahant Ravindra Puri, the chief of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad, has called for restricting non-Hindus from setting up shops at the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh in order to preserve the event's sanctity and safety.
Speaking to the media, he said, “We have said that tea shops, juice stalls, and flower shops should not be allowed for them. If they are given these shops, they will spit and urinate, and our Naga saints will be forced to take action.”
He warned that any such incidents could result in harm and send a negative message globally. “Our fair must be beautiful, clean, grand, divine, and peaceful. It is essential to keep non-Hindus away to maintain the safety and sanctity of the event,” Puri added.
This statement comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his final Mann Ki Baat episode of the year, emphasized unity and brotherhood, urging citizens to “annihilate the feeling of division and hatred in the society. Praising the upcoming Kumbh Mela, Modi described it as a remarkable example of India’s unity in diversity.
“The speciality of the Maha Kumbh is not only in its vastness. The speciality of the Kumbh is also in its diversity. Crores of people congregate for this event. Lakhs of saints, thousands of traditions, hundreds of sects, many akharas, everyone becomes a part of this event. There is no discrimination anywhere, no one is big, no one is small. Such a scene of unity in diversity will not be seen anywhere else in the world,” the Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Jamaat has expressed opposition to the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad's proposal to restrict non-Hindus from running food stalls at the Mela, arguing that such measures could foster societal divisions.
The Maha Kumbh is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2025. Efforts are underway to ensure a clean, litter-free environment for visitors, alongside significant upgrades to Prayagraj’s infrastructure. These initiatives aim to create a sustainable, modern, and visually appealing experience for attendees.
ALSO READ: All countrymen are safe, as we guard border’: BSF Jawans wish the nation a Happy New Year
ALSO WATCH: