A 13-year-old minor girl, who recently joined the Juna Akhara in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh to become a Sanyasini, has been expelled from the Akhara considering it against the rules. Besides, her guru Mahant Kaushal Giri, who initiated the girl, has also been expelled from the Akhara for seven years.
Giving information on Saturday, Juna Akhara’s international spokesperson Shri Mahant Narayan Giri said that according to the rules of the Akhara, women below 25 years of age cannot be given entry. This issue was discussed in the general meeting of the Akhara held on Friday. It was unanimously decided that the girl’s admission would be canceled and Mahant Kaushal Giri Maharaj would be expelled for seven years for giving admission to a minor girl.
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At the same time, Narayan Giri said that the minor girl has been handed over to her parents with full respect. According to the rules of Juna Akhara, only women of 25 years of age or above can be included in the Akhara. However, if the parents dedicate a minor boy to the Akhara, he can be included in the Akhara as per the rules.
Saints’ displeasure in the meeting
On Friday, Juna Akhara’s patron Mahant Hari Giri, President Shri Mahant Prem Giri and other senior saints participated in the meeting. During the meeting, the saints expressed their displeasure over Mahant Kaushal Giri, who initiated the minor girl without informing the Akhara.
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The girl’s mother Reema Singh told that Mahant Kaushal Giri Maharaj used to come to her village for the last three years to narrate Bhagwat Katha. There his 13 year old daughter Rekha Singh (now Gauri Giri) took initiation from Guruji. He said that his daughter expressed her desire to give up worldly attachments and talked about becoming a Sadhvi. Considering this as God’s will, he handed over his daughter to Juna Akhara. Mahant Kaushal Giri initiated Rekha and gave her the new name ‘Gauri Giri’. Now the Akhara has taken a tough stand on this entire issue and expelled both the Mahant and the minor girl.
