UP govt responsible for Jawahar Bagh incident: Shankaracharya

Mathura, Jun 9: Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati today held the Uttar Pradesh government responsible for the Jawahar Bagh incident saying it should have checked illegal encroachment.

"Why did the government not check illegal encroachment? Hundreds of acres of government land as well as land of farmers have been illegally occupied by Jai Gurudeo Ashram also. These land should also be made free from encroachers," the Shankaracharya of twin Dwarkapeeth and Shardapeeth told reporters in Vrindaban.

"While Pankaj was made head of Jai Gurudeo Ashram after the death of Jai Gurudeo at the behest of two ministers of the state, Jawahar Bagh was being encroached by Ram Vriksh at the behest of a minister of the Uttar Pradesh government," he claimed.

He termed followers of Vriksh as "anti-national and anti- social". He also hit out at the "family rule of the Samajwadi Party", claiming "It is against socialism.

Two hundred members of a family are sitting at important posts and promoting family rule. Only Yadavs are being promoted." He also criticised reservation saying it kills the basic spirit of talented people. "By providing reservation, the beneficiaries become weak," he added.

PTI