In an important development ahead of the Maha Kumbh deepening the rift among the ABAP, the Bairagi Vaishnava seers of three akharas – Shripanch Nirmohi Akhara, Shri Nirvani Ani Akhara, and Shri Digambar Ani Akhara— have formed a separate entity, Akhil Bhartiya Vaishnava Akhara Parishad . The new development has created a piquant situation among the saint community, and as such, presidents of both rival factions of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (belonging to Shaiv Sanyasi sect) have not commented on the issue. Shrimahant Rajendra Das of Nirmohi Akhara has been made the president of this new parishad while Baba Hathyogi was named the general secretary.
Former ABAP president Shrimahant Gyan Das was made the patron of the entity. "Shrimahant Gyan Das had formed the Akhil Bhartiya Vaishnava Akhara Parishad during the Haridwar Kumbh of 2010 but due to varied reasons, the parishad remained dormant. Now, the representatives of the new parishad will soon meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and apprise him of the development," said Rajendra Das.
Rajendra Das said he believes that the akahra parishad does not exist anymore after the split. However, if has to choose one, he would side with the faction led by Mahant Ravindra Puri, the secretary of Mahanirvani Akhara. Meanwhile, Vaishnav akharas also opposed the settlement of Khalsas separately and demanded that everyone should be given a place together.
Also, they demanded land in the pre-2001 situation for settlement in the fair. T.
