Shankaracharya refuses VHP's appeal to end fast

Varanasi, Aug 18 (UNI) Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Narendranand Saraswati turned down the appeal of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Dr Praveen Togadia to put an end to his fast unto death on the 10th day today.

Mr Togadia visited the ashram of the Seer and appealed him to end his fast, but he humbly refused to do so until the land was returned to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Shankaracharya had sat on a fast unto death on Saturday last at his Assi ashram.

Talking to newspersons, the VHP leader warned the government of agressive and intensified agitation, if the land was not returned to the Shrine Board soon.

The party general secretary noted that the government should provide facilities to the pilgrims, who visit Amarnath in large numbers every year.

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