If liquor shops could open, why should temple remain close: asks ABAP

PRAYAGRAJ: Following the demand placed by Kashi Vidvat Parishad to open the temples of the state for devotees, it is now the turn of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), the apex decision making body of saints and seers which has said that it would write to the Prime Minister, home minister and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to allow reopening of temples in the state.
"If the center can decide to open the liquor shops, what’s wrong in opening of temples if we follow the concept of social distancing, at least devotees would pray to almighty to help the nation in the present crisis", said president of ABAP, Mahant Narendra Giri.
In the presence of chief patron of Juna Akhara, Mahant Hari Giri, ABAP president said that on behalf of parishad chief they would soon send letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in this regard. Juna akhara is the largest of the 13 akhara of the country with its presence in every corner of the country.
Mahant Narendra Giri said that it has been almost two months since the temples have been closed due to the corona crisis.
"The temple management is finding it hard to pay the salaries of the priest and other staff members who look after the temple as the temples are closed for almost two months now", said Giri. The government should understand that it is not only the temple staff but the temples support many families who are facing hardship, he added.
He assured that if temples are allowed to open, the management, saints and even devotees would ensure that all safety protocols, including sanitization and social distancing, are followed.