Prayagraj: Despite the mela authority redrawing the layout plan for akharas following several objections, some monastic orders have expressed resentment regarding the land that will be allotted to them in the Sangam area for the Maha Kumbh beginning Jan 13.
The akharas have accused the mela administration of giving less land than compared to the 2019 Kumbh.
The saints said they had sought 25% more land since the number of Mahamandaleshwars and seers have increased in every akhara, but the authority was allocating less space than the previous Kumbh.
The land allotment process will start on Nov 18. First, land will be allotted to 13 akharas, then to Shankaracharya and saints and institutions of other sects. The mela administration earlier fixed the date of land allotment as Nov 16, but due to the busy schedule of the saints, it has been extended. Last week, the mela administration requested the seers to do a field inspection of the area, but they were not satisfied with it following which the administration redrew the plan.
President Shri Niranjani Akhara and president of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) Shrimahant Ravindra Puri said: "The mela administration wants to give land to the akharas by reducing their area. It is not possible to set up a camp there. We respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, so we will not boycott the Maha Kumbh, but if we do not get the land as per our requirement, then instead of setting up a camp at the mela area, we will participate in Maha Kumbh from our ashram."
Likewise, president of Nirmohi Ani Akhara, Shrimahant Rajendra Das said: "The land allocation system is not as per expectations. An attempt is being made to give us less land than before. If the system that was in place for land allocation before 2019 is implemented, then there will be no problem. We will not take less land."
Similar statements have been issued by Durga Das, Mukhiya Mahant Bada Akhara Udasin, and Shrimahant Devendra Singh Shastri, secretary Nirmal Akhara.
However, Kumbh Mela Adhikari, Vijay Kiran Anand said: "There has been no reduction in the area of akharas. The date of land allotment has been decided after taking everyone's consent. On Nov 16, most of the saints will participate in the conference to be held in Delhi. Due to this, the date of allotment has been fixed as Nov 18 and 19. If anyone has any issue, we will look into it."