Sadhugram is a designated area located in the city’s Tapovan region where sadhus are accommodated during the Kumbh Mela
Narendracharya said that if farmers are opposing the process of providing land for Sadhugram, the govt should first clear their pending dues and ensure that they are not subjected to injustice. “If required, we are ready to mediate on the issue,” he said, calling for a permanent solution to the Sadhugram dispute. He said that while some tree cutting may become unavoidable for development, the govt should take responsibility for replanting the affected trees at other locations and ensuring their survival. “The Sadhugram issue should be resolved by cutting the minimum possible number of trees,” he said. Narendracharya said development should go hand in hand with the protection of nature, underlining the need to find a middle path on the tree-felling issue.
“There can be no alternative to one’s mother. Similarly, there can be no alternative to the place of Kumbh Mela. At the same time, he emphasised that the land issue should not affect preparations for the Kumbh Mela. He also suggested carrying out large-scale afforestation on barren hills.
Sadhugram should be developed at Tapovan,” Narendracharya said at a press conference on Thursday.
He said the seers would cooperate even if only a limited quantity of water was released into Ramkund. He added that the seer community would stand with the government in extending assistance to drought-hit farmers and livestock.
Narendracharya also said a flag worship ceremony and a grand procession for ‘gram Parikrama’ will be organised on Friday (Oct 30), with thousands of devotees expected to participate. He will also be among the prominent seers present for the Dhwajarohan (flag hoisting) ceremony on Saturday (Oct 31), which is scheduled to be attended by President Droupadi Murmu.