New Delhi: Premanand Maharaj’s padyatra from the old route will begin in the wee hours of Tuesday at 2 am in Vrindavan. Premanand Maharaj’s padyatra will be taken out in its original format and follow the original route. Premanand Maharaj himself announced, “Brijwasis, be ready at the gate at 2:00 am.”
On February 6, an unexpected announcement was made from Maharaj’s ashram to suspend the padyatra from the old route indefinitely, citing health reasons. However, it was later revealed that the decision was made due to objection raised by residents of the NRI Green Society along the route of the padyatra. They cited disturbances due to the use of drums and other instruments during the padyatra.
NRI Green Society president apologises
On Monday, the president of the NRI Green Society apologised to Premanand Maharaj. He claimed the residents were driven into opposing the processions by some outsiders, looking to earn fame on YouTube, by posing themselves as locals and protesting against the Maharaj.
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The protest, sparked by complaints about noise from loud music, drums, and fireworks during the procession, led to a strong reaction from Premanand Maharaj’s followers. Several local shopkeepers had put up signs declaring that they would not serve NRI Green Society members for opposing the procession. In the aftermath of the row, the president of the NRI Green Society personally visited Maharaj to tender an apology, which was graciously accepted by the saint.
‘We can’t remain happy by hurting people of Brij’
On Monday, people living around the colony also went to meet Maharaj and prayed for the resumption of the padyatra. They said that no Brijwasi has any issue with the padyatra. “This is a city of Sankirtan, and here, kirtans and bhajan sessions will naturally take place. These are all the treasures of Radha Rani. Anyone opposing cannot be a Brijwasi,” they collectively said.
In response, Maharaj said that the padyatra will resume from tomorrow. “We will step out from the gate at exactly two o’clock. When the opposition began, we decided to halt the padyatra. We cannot remain happy by hurting the people of Brij.”
Route was changed
Earlier, in response to the protests, Premanand Maharaj had modified the procession. He changed the timing from 2 am to 4 am and altered the route to avoid passing in front of the society. The changed route took the procession through Prem Mandir and Ramnereti Police Station before reaching its final destination.
