Yogi Adityanath, victim of political affiliations: ABAP

Varanasi, Feb 3 (UNI) In a significant development, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) -- apex body of 13 'akharas' -- here today described the recent arrest of BJP MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath as ''a fallout of his political affiliations.'' ''Yogi Adityanath ek rajnitik party se apni sambadhta ka shikar huwein hain'' (the Gorakhpur MP has become a victim of an affiliation with a particular political party), ABAP general secretary Mahant Hari Giri told mediaersons here today.

The ABAP office-bearer added ''the ABAP respected the Gorakshapeeth, but had no support for Yogi Adityanath, the successor to Gorakshapeethadhiswar Mahant Avaidyanath,'' he added.

All saints are non-political and who enters the political arena is automatically deprived of sainthood, Mahant Hari Giri, said adding ''by becoming a MP of a political party, Yogi Adityanath has lost the respect of the saint community.'' Refusing to comment on Yogi Adityanath's arrest, the ABAP office-bearer maintained ''whether the apex body of 'akharas' is going to take up the matter of Mr Yogi's arrest to the Uttar Pradesh government or not would be decided only by ABAP president Mahant Gyan Das.'' Interestingly, Mahant Gyan Das, also the Mahant of the famous Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya is a sworn adversary of the VHP-BJP saffron brigade.

Both Mahant Gyan Das and Mahant Hari Giri had led representatives of various 'akharas' during a programme to welcome UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav at the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 20.

The BJP MP Yogi Adityanath was arrested for violating section 144 (prohibitory orders) in the riot racked Gorakhpur recently and was remanded into two week judicial custody by court yesterday.

Mahant Hari Giri, also termed BSP supremo and former UP chief minister Mayawati as a very able leader for her decision to ban cow slaughter in the state during her chief ministership.

He also appreciated the efforts made by the present UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for ensuring a memorable stay for the saints and seers during the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Prayag.

The ABAP office-bearer, however, only had harsh words for the BJP-VHP brigade saying ''they have never worked for the saints, but only used them to further their political interests.'' UNI