Yogi announces ban on sale of meat and alcohol during Mahakumbh

He made the announcement in the presence of representatives of the 13 akhadas, including the Khak-Chowk, Dandibara and Acharyabara traditions, at a meeting in the Mahakumbh Mela area.

The decision was taken considering the sentiments of the entire Sanatan community, including sadhus, sanyasis and ascetics, he said.

“The Mahakumbh is organized under the guidance of the flag-bearing akhadas of Sanatan Dharma and various holy traditions, with the state government acting as a partner in this sacred event where devotees coming from all over the world will be treated as esteemed guests “, he said.

“The Mahakumbh will showcase Indian Sanatan culture to the world,” he added.

During their interaction with the chief minister, the seers presented their grievances and said that the officials were negligent in resolving their issues.

The seers also presented the proposals which were approved in the two-day meeting of the Akhada Parishad. The proposals included replacement of the words ‘Shahi’ and ‘Peshwai’, for which the chief minister said the final decision in this regard should be taken by the seers.

As the government takes steps to keep the sacred rivers clean, support from the ‘sant samaj’ is also awaited, he said.

He announced that a ground would soon be designated at Prayagraj for the ‘samadhi’ of the seers who died during the Mahakumbh.

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Narendra Giri.

Responding to the Sant Samaj’s demand to ban cow slaughter, the chief minister said that cow slaughter is considered a crime in Uttar Pradesh, punishable by up to imprisonment at life for offenders. Besides, the state government runs over 7,000 Gauvansh Ashray Sthal (livestock shelters), where over 1.4 million cows are housed, he said. Through various initiatives, the government has also engaged the general public in cow protection efforts.

He expressed hope for the support of the holy community to advance this mission of cow protection. He suggested that cow protection facilities should be established in all ashrams and Gauseva should be practiced in every ashram.

Prioritizing the security of the Mahakumbh, the chief minister urged all seers not to allow anyone to stay in their ashrams without proper verification.

Earlier, amid Vedic chants, the chief minister had congratulated all the seers by draping them with angvastram. A short film regarding the management and arrangements of Maha Kumbh 2025 was also presented before the seers.

Expressing satisfaction over the preparations for Mahakumbh 2025, the seers noted that the ongoing developments in the Mela region indicate that Mahakumbh 2025 will be more grand and divine than any previous Ardh Kumbh or Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.

In a situation where one country is keen to wage war against another, Mahakumbh 2025 will convey a message of peace to the entire world and the entire Sant Samaj is eager to contribute to this mission, they said.

OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR BAN ENFORCEMENT

After the chief minister’s announcement banning the sale of liquor and meat within the traditional limits of Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela, officials are now ready to decide the limits within which the ban will be enforced.

The boundaries may be the 4,000 hectares of Mahakumbh Mela area or may also include the localities around the Mela area such as Daraganj, Jhunsi, Alopibagh, Bairana, Kydganj and Sohbatiabagh. There are many liquor stores in these areas and some are quite close to the Mela area. The stores operate according to the rules and on payment of a fee to the excise department.

District excise officer Sushil Mishra said though he was yet to receive instructions, action would be taken as per the orders received. A senior official of the Mela Authority said that a notification would be issued in this regard soon.

Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri welcomed the decision. “The whole of Prayagraj should be declared teerth kshetra and the sale of alcohol and meat should be banned,” he said.