Ayodhya seers back demand to ban 'non-Sanatanis' at Mathura's Adhik Maas fair
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hindu saints in Ayodhya have extended support to a demand raised by Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Nyas President Dinesh Falahari, who has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking a ban on the entry of "non-Sanatani" people and their shops during the Adhik Maas fair in Mathura and Govardhan. The demand has drawn backing from prominent seers, amplifying pressure on the state government ahead of the religious fair.
What the Demand Entails
Dinesh Falahari, who has been closely associated with the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple movement, reportedly wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath — reportedly in blood — seeking restrictions on non-Sanatani vendors and visitors at the upcoming fair. The letter has drawn significant attention and reignited debates around the management of Hindu religious gatherings in Uttar Pradesh.
What the Seers Said
Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple in Ayodhya said he wholeheartedly supported the demand and expressed gratitude to Falahari for raising the issue. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for this initiative. The way extremist, jihadi, and terrorist ideologies continuously conspire to corrupt Sanatan followers and Sanatan Dharma are deeply concerning. To defile and degrade us, food items are spat into, even offerings and prasad used in worship are contaminated in an attempt to tarnish Sanatan traditions. Therefore, he has taken cognisance of this issue, and I fully support him," the seer said.
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya described the situation as "unfortunate," alleging that deliberate attempts were being made to corrupt Hindu religious practices. He alleged that vendors mixed harmful substances into food and flower offerings at religious sites. "Merely writing a letter will not be enough in this matter; a large-scale protest and demonstration will have to be organised," he added. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Broader Context
The demand comes amid a broader pattern of calls for restrictions at Hindu religious fairs across Uttar Pradesh. Similar demands have surfaced at events in Prayagraj and other pilgrimage towns in recent years, reflecting growing pressure from certain religious groups on state authorities to regulate vendor access at Sanatani gatherings. The Adhik Maas — an intercalary month in the Hindu calendar — draws large numbers of pilgrims to Mathura and Govardhan, making the fair one of the more significant religious events in the region.
State Government Response
There has been no official response from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office regarding the letter as of the time of reporting. It remains to be seen whether the state government will act on the demand, impose partial restrictions, or allow the fair to proceed under existing arrangements. The Uttar Pradesh government has previously issued vendor-regulation guidelines at major religious events, though a blanket community-based ban would mark a significant policy shift.