Woman seer in Kumbh Mela demands police protection

Nashik, July 18: Sadhvi Trikal Bhavanta, Mahant of all-woman Pari akhada, today said she fears for her life after an incident on the opening day of the Kumbh Mela here, and her request for police protection has not been "acquiesced" yet.

In a related development the district administration has acceded to her demand to provide separate plots to house women seers of her akhada (a group of sadhus who are members of a particular sect).

The woman seer, who hails from Allahabad, alleged that Gyandas Maharaj, President of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad, misbehaved with her during the flag hoisting ceremony organised by Purohit Sangh to mark the beginning of Kumbh Mela here on July 14.

Gyandas Maharaj has denied the charge. The ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis among others.

Talking to PTI, Sadhvi Bhavanta said after that incident she fears for her life and had asked district authorities to provide her security. She yesterday met District Collector Dipendrasinh Kushwah in this regard.

"I have still not been provided police security," she said. According to the Collector, during the meeting he asked the Sadhvi to give her request in writing.

Meanwhile, the district administration has fulfilled Sadhvi Bhavanta's demand for separate plots for herself and her thousands of followers who have arrived here for the mega religious congregation.

She said she has been allotted three plots in 'sadhu gram', a temporary tent-town which has been provided with toilets, 24-hour drinking water, LPG cylinders and electricity.

The sadhvi has also demanded a separate bathing ghat for women seers, preferably near holy Ramkunda, on 'shahi snan' (royal bath) days (August 29, September 13 and 18) in Nashik).

Sadhvi Bhavanta is leader of Pari akhada, an all-woman group that came into existence in Allahabad early last year.

PTI