A significant protest erupted at the Prayagraj Mela Authority office on Monday, as a large assembly of seers, mahants, and heads of religious institutions voiced their strong opposition against alleged irregularities in the allotment of land and facilities for the mela. The demonstrators accused the administration of blatant favouritism and gross mismanagement, leading to a day of sit-ins and dharnas.
Allegations of Nepotism and Mismanagement
The core grievance of the protesting saints centered on the land allotment process. They alleged that officials were systematically prioritizing their own relatives, family members, acquaintances, and business associates, while sidelining genuine religious institutions that have historically been part of the mela. This perceived injustice prompted the gathering, which assembled at the mela administration office in the morning to demand immediate and fair allotment.
As their concerns went unaddressed for hours, frustration mounted. Several saints moved inside the office premises and staged a sit-in protest. The situation intensified inside the IIIC auditorium, where many sat on the floor directly in front of Tehsildar Abhijeet Gaurav, demanding accountability for the alleged misconduct.
Escalation and Official Response
The protest reached a critical point when Tehsildar Abhijeet Gaurav reportedly left the venue. Following his departure, senior officials intervened by deputing another magistrate to manage the escalating situation. After prolonged discussions and persuasion, the agitating saints and institutional representatives inside the auditorium were eventually calmed down.
Meanwhile, a separate demonstration was unfolding outside the auditorium. Swami Gopalacharya from Rishikesh, a disciple of Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Krishnacharya Maharaj, led a dharna along with other saints and devotees. His specific allegation was that his institution, initially allotted land on Mahavir Marg, had been unjustifiably shifted to Triveni Marg for the past two editions of the mela without any proper justification.
Protest Called Off After Assurance
The standoff was finally resolved after Sub-mela officer Vivek Shukla provided a concrete assurance to the protesting seers. He guaranteed that land would be allotted to Swami Gopalacharya's institution at the previously agreed-upon location. With this commitment in place, the protest was formally called off, bringing a tense day at the Mela Authority office to a close.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the administrative challenges and allegations of transparency in the organization of one of India's largest religious gatherings. It underscores the ongoing tensions between the mela administration and the religious communities that form the core of the event's cultural and spiritual fabric.
