India
Juna Akhara to investigate Don’s ‘initiation’ | India News – Times of India
HARIDWAR: Juna Akharathe largest group of Naga seers, has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the initiation of the underworld Prakash Pandey to monks in Almora jail earlier this month, with a report expected within three months. The commission convened a meeting in Nagina in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh to determine their next steps.
Pandey, also known as PP, was said to have been initiated by five seers claiming to be from Juna Akhara. They anointed him as ‘Swami Prakashanand Giri’. Sources say the akhara also gave Pandey charge of several ashrams in Uttarakhand.
However, Mahant Hari Girithe international president of Juna Akhara, denied the allegations and stated that there is a detailed process to become a seer in the akhara. He added that action will be taken once the committee submits its findings after three months.
Meanwhile, activists have raised concerns about the length of the investigation. Ratanmani DobhalAn activist, told TOI, “Pandey is not an undertrial but a convict serving a life sentence. How can someone in his position become a seer, especially a Naga seer, which involves a rigorous and complex process? Why did the akhara form a committee and give it three months? This seems to be an illegal appointment.” Besides his life sentence, Pandey is facing multiple cases, including those related to extortion, theft and murder.
This is not the first time that Juna Akhara has anointed a controversial figure. In 2012, just before the Kumbh Mela, Radhe Ma was appointed Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, only to be later termed as a “fake seer”. Other controversial appointments include Golden Babawho also faced several criminal charges.
Pandey, also known as PP, was said to have been initiated by five seers claiming to be from Juna Akhara. They anointed him as ‘Swami Prakashanand Giri’. Sources say the akhara also gave Pandey charge of several ashrams in Uttarakhand.
However, Mahant Hari Girithe international president of Juna Akhara, denied the allegations and stated that there is a detailed process to become a seer in the akhara. He added that action will be taken once the committee submits its findings after three months.
Meanwhile, activists have raised concerns about the length of the investigation. Ratanmani DobhalAn activist, told TOI, “Pandey is not an undertrial but a convict serving a life sentence. How can someone in his position become a seer, especially a Naga seer, which involves a rigorous and complex process? Why did the akhara form a committee and give it three months? This seems to be an illegal appointment.” Besides his life sentence, Pandey is facing multiple cases, including those related to extortion, theft and murder.
This is not the first time that Juna Akhara has anointed a controversial figure. In 2012, just before the Kumbh Mela, Radhe Ma was appointed Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, only to be later termed as a “fake seer”. Other controversial appointments include Golden Babawho also faced several criminal charges.
