Govt apathy towards providing basic amenities to ‘Warkaris’ at Pandharpur !

Kartik Shuklapaksha 8, Kaliyug Varsha 5114

Warkaris resolve to take out a huge protest march at Nagpur during Assembly session !

Pandharpur (Maharashtra) : Maharashtra Government spends billions of rupees to provide various facilities to followers of other religions; but it deprives millions of Warkaris, who come to Pandharpur, a pilgrimage place, during ‘Ashadhi – Kartiki Ekadashi’, of even minimum basic amenities. Other State Governments have properly developed places of pilgrimage in their States (e.g. Tirumala Tirupati Balaji); but Maharashtra Government has not been able to develop Pandharpur in the past 65 years. Only announcements are made and development plans remain on paper. If the Government fails to solve problems faced by ‘Warkaris’ at the earliest, all Warkari and pro-Hindu organizations would take out a huge march at Nagpur during the State Assembly session, warned Warkari Saints – Mahants and other religious organizations.   

A joint meeting of Warkari and pro-Hindu organizations was held yesterday evening at ‘Sant Muktai Muth’, Pandharpur, Dist. Solapur during which resolutions with 25 demands were unanimously passed like- providing pure drinking water, construction of latrines, ban on sale / consumption of liquor and meat in Pandharpur, maintain sanctity of River Chandrabhaga, ban on books insulting Deities and Saints, stringent laws for prevention of desecration of seats of worship of Hindus, cancellation of anti-superstitions Act as it attacks Hindu Dharma, ban on showing films and stage ‘Tamasha’ in Pandharpur for preserving sanctity of the place of pilgrimage, widening of roads leading to Pandharpur, establishment of University imparting education on Dharma, inclusion of Saint literature in school text books, to remove encroachment at the birthplace of Saint Kanhopatra, giving concession to Warkaris in travel and inclusion of Warkaris in temple committees etc. A copy of the resolution and representation of demands were submitted to Tehsildar Sachin Dongre of Pandharpur today morning. These demands will be put forth even during the ‘puja’ performed on behalf of the State Government on the occasion of ‘Kartiki Ekadashi’.  

The meeting was mainly attended by H.B.P. Vivekananda Maharaj Vasakar, Bhagavatacharya V. N. Utpat, H.B.P. Balyogi Maharaj, H.B.P. Bhanudas Maharaj Dhavalikar, H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Vakte, H.B.P. Maruti Maharaj Tuntune, H.B.P. Anilkaka Badave, H.B.P. Eknath Maharaj Hande, H.B.P. Nivrutti Maharaj Hande, H.B.P. Chaturmase Maharaj, H.B.P. Bhaktaraj Mahraj Waghmare, H.B.P. Gajanan Maharaj Bidkar, H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Raokar, senior journalist Mahesh Khiste, ISKON’s Brajprem das, Mr. Abhaysingh Kulkarni of Hindu Mahasabha, Mr. Sandeep Apshingekar of Sanatan Sanstha, Mrs. Rajashree Tiwari of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and key representatives of more than 100 organizations. 

Source : Press Release