Akhara Parishad Proposes ID Checks for Kumbh Mela in 2025

The All India Akhara Parishad has recommended restricted entry to the 2025 Kumbh Mela, advocating for ID verification to ensure security amid growing societal tensions.

Key Points

• The All India Akhara Parishad has proposed restricted entry to the 2025 Kumbh Mela, requiring visitors to present valid ID cards with attested copies.
• The suggestion aims to enhance security at the Kumbh Mela due to rising societal tensions and potential violence.
• Swami Hari Giri of the Akhara Parishad emphasized the need for controlled access to ensure safety.
• The proposal has received support from a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.
• The Akhara Parishad also supports measures for shopkeepers to display their names and suggest online registration for the large-scale event.

The All India Akhara Parishad, the apex organization representing sadhus in India, has made a notable recommendation for the 2025 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, scheduled from January 14 to February 26. The proposal suggests implementing restricted entry measures, requiring visitors to present a valid identity card along with an attested photocopy for access to the festival.

Swami Hari Giri, the general secretary of the Akhara Parishad, highlighted the importance of this measure for the safety and security of the event, citing growing societal tensions and increasing violence. Giri stressed that with lakhs of devotees and saints expected to congregate at the Kumbh Mela from early January to March, it is crucial to limit entry to only those with verified identities. He mentioned that an attested copy of the ID could be certified by a gazetted officer, municipal councillor, or panchayat chief.

In addition, Giri expressed support for the Supreme Court‘s recent order regarding the display of names by shopkeepers and hawkers along the Kanwar Yatra route. He suggested that similar identification measures be implemented for shopkeepers near the Kumbh Mela to prevent confusion and enhance accountability. He proposed that the government facilitate an online registration system for these vendors, given the scale of the event.

Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, Uttar Pradesh‘s Minister of State for Ayush, food safety, and drug administration, endorsed both the state government’s decision for the Kanwar Yatra route and the Akhara Parishad’s proposals. He emphasized that these measures are essential for maintaining law and order and preventing potential religious conflicts.

The Akhara Parishad’s recommendations reflect a proactive approach to managing the massive Kumbh Mela, aiming to ensure that the event remains safe and orderly amidst the rising concerns about public safety.