The Niranjan Akhada has announced that the ongoing Kumbh Mela will culminate on April 17, almost two weeks before it’s scheduled date.
Senior Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Uttarakhand held a meeting with the Akhadas to convince them to curtail the Kumbh Mela, keeping in view the surge in Covid-19 cases and concerns of violation of Covid-19 protocols, as reported by Clarion.
However, the BJP-ruled State government has already stated that Kumbh Mela will go on as it was scheduled. The Kumbh Mela started on April 1 and will end on April 30, according to the state.
Senior leaders of BJP met 13 Akhadas with a request to decide to wind up the Mela after seeing the spike in cases of covid in the country. The discussion stands positive as Akhadas have agreed to the request of the leaders, as reported by the Clarion.
A senior party leader from the state said, “After the Niranjani Akhada, most of the Akhadas have responded positively to our request and in the next couple of days, they will make the announcement,” as quoted by the Clarion.
Moreover, the state government has not announced the final decision about the continuation of the Mela.
Another BJP leader said, “Currently, the state is not in favour of curtailing the Kumbh Mela but in a view of the sudden hike of Covid-19 cases, a discussion has initiated to review the decision. Discussions with the religious channels have also been initiated,” as quoted by the Clarion.
Several devotees including saints from different Akhadas have tested Covid-19 positive in Haridwar, after taking bath in the Ganges.
Around 4 Lakh people participated in the last two ‘Shahi Snans’ of the Kumbh Mela, violating Covid-19 guidelines.