Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, on Monday reiterated his demand that ancient temples across India, which he claims were converted into mosques, should be vacated. The Parishad, an apex body of 13 monastic Hindu orders, also clarified its stance on Muslim participation in the Maha Kumbh, emphasizing that there is no restriction on Muslims attending religious gatherings.
Speaking to PTI, Puri, who also heads the Mansa Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar, stated, “During my travels across India for dharma prachar (propagation of religion), I noticed that many mosques have domes resembling temples. Inside, one can find symbols of Sanatan Dharma. Around 80% of mosques in India are built on temple sites.”
When asked if he would request the Muslim community to relinquish such structures, Puri responded, “We have made this appeal countless times. Ancient temples converted into mosques should be handed back to Hindus. Similarly, if a temple has been constructed over a mosque, we are ready to vacate it. We make this request once again from the platform of the Maha Kumbh.”
Puri further revealed plans for a “Dharma Sansad” scheduled for January 27, where prominent seers from India and abroad will discuss forming a Sanatan Board, akin to the Waqf Board, to safeguard Hindu religious institutions such as maths and temples. “The establishment of a Sanatan Board is vital to ensure the safety and preservation of our temples and maths,” he added.
Addressing remarks by certain Muslim clerics suggesting Muslims avoid the Kumbh, Puri emphasized inclusivity. “We have never prohibited Muslims from attending the Kumbh. On the contrary, we have always welcomed them to witness Sanatan Dharma and its practices. However, we oppose those who insult other religions, engage in activities like love jihad or land jihad, and spread disrespect. Ordinary Muslims are not our adversaries,” he clarified.
Puri also accused the Congress of undermining the Akharas in the past due to its pro-Muslim stance. He claimed that the situation had improved since the formation of Narendra Modi’s government. “The Congress devised plans to weaken the akharas by denying them constructive roles. They placed more faith in Muslims. The Modi government has given strength to the akharas, enabling us to regain prominence,” Puri said.
Additionally, Puri announced changes to some common terms associated with the Kumbh Mela. Terms like shahi naan and Peshawai have been replaced with Amrit snaan and Chaavni Pravesh, respectively. He explained, “While we use both Hindi and Urdu terms, we felt that names related to our deities should reflect Sanskrit or Sanatani traditions. Our intention is not to create a divide between Hindus and Muslims but to honor our cultural heritage.”
Puri’s statements reflect ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Sanatan Dharma while addressing historical and cultural concerns. His remarks, however, continue to stir debates around religious inclusivity and historical interpretations.