Mahant Narendra Giri, president of Akhara Parishad, the apex body of millions of saints across the country, has been surrounded by constant controversies for more than a decade and a half. After taking over the Baghambari throne, his series of controversies started in 2004 and remained till his last breath. Sometimes there was a tussle with the police, sometimes with the politicians, sometimes with the saints. Recently, a dispute with his most special disciple Anand Giri was in the media headlines. Presenting the controversy related to Mahant Narendra Giri:
Controversy-1
Disciple Anand Giri expelled from the arena
The distance between Mahant Narendra Giri and his most important disciple Anand Giri increased from Haridwar Kumbh. Narendra Giri had barred Swami Anand Giri from entering the Baghambari Gaddi Math and Bada Hanuman Mandir, accusing him of having family ties and misusing the monastic-temple funds. After this, allegations and counter-allegations from both sides continued for several days. Finally, on May 26, in Lucknow, Anand Giri apologized by holding the Guru's feet.
Controversy-2
Questions were raised on Ashish Giri's suicide
Questions were also raised on the death of Mahant Ashish Giri, secretary of Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani, in suspicious circumstances on November 17, 2019. Originally from Pithoragarh, Ashish Giri lived in the ashram of Shri Niranjani, the Panchayati Akhara located in Daraganj. After the death, some people had also raised questions on Mahant Narendra Giri. However, later in the police investigation, nothing came out.
Controversy-3
There was a dispute with the SP MLA over the land
There was also a dispute with Narendra Giri in 2012 over the purchase of land from Mahesh Narayan Singh, the SP leader, and MLA from Handia. In February 2012, Mahant had filed a case in George Town against SP leaders Mahesh Narayan Singh, Shailendra Singh, Harinarayan Singh, and 50 unidentified persons. The other side had also filed a report against Narendra Giri, Anand Giri, and two others.
Controversy-4
Bar Balas accused of blowing temple money
After a dispute with his mentor Mahant Narendra Giri, yoga guru Swami Anand Giri released two videos in May alleging misappropriation of temple money. In a video, bar and girls were dancing and people associated with the big Hanuman temple and math were dancing with them. Notes were also being rained on bar-balas. In the second video, it was raining notes amid chants. In this, Mahant Narendra Giri was blessing the bride and groom.
controversy-5
Beer bar-disco operator made Mahamandaleshwar
Narendra Giri's name also came in the controversy of making Sachin Dutta alias Sachchidanand Giri, the operator of a beer bar in Noida, along with Delhi-NCR's biggest disco on 31 July 2015 as Mahamandaleshwar. In the presence of the then Cabinet Minister Shivpal Yadav and Tourism Minister Om Prakash Singh, Narendra Giri made the Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara by performing Pattabhishek of Sachin.
Controversy-6
Gunner accused of disproportionate assets
Sepoy Ajay Singh, who had been the gunner of Mahant Swami Narendra Giri, was accused of disproportionate assets. Raising questions on the living style and magnificence of this soldier, Lucknow's RTI activist Dr. Nutan Thakur had sent a letter to the DGP and other officers demanding an investigation. Claimed to buy flat worth 61 lakhs in wife's name.
Controversy-7
Kinnar did not give recognition to the arena
Narendra Giri did not recognize the Kinnar Akhara. He said that Jagatguru Shankaracharya had established 13 akharas. No one can be recognized as 14th Akhara. However, in the Kumbh of 2019, the fair administration had given land and facilities to the Kinnar Akhara. Kinnar Akhara was established in Ujjain on 13 October 2015. Later, in the Ujjain Kumbh of 2016, the Akhara independently took out the Divinity Yatra instead of Peshwai.
controversy-8
Questions raised on the existence of Pari Arena
Mahant Narendra Giri did not believe in the existence of Pari Akhara. He said that the Trikal Bhavana, who did not take initiation from anywhere, who is not a sanyasini, is building a Pari Akhara. Trikal Bhavanta continued to advocate Pari Akhara for women ascetics.
controversy-9
FIR was lodged against Yogi Satyam
On August 8, 2018, Narendra Giri had filed a case against Yogi Satyam of Kriya Yoga Ashram in Daraganj police station for making threats. The Akhara Parishad had put Yogi Satyam in the list of fake saints. Because of which the controversy escalated.
Controversy-10
Narendra Giri's first dispute was with the then DIG RN Singh after he became the Mahant of the Mutt Baghambari Gaddi in 2004. There was some dispute with RN Singh about selling the land, after which the DIG staged a sit-in in front of the temple for several days. The then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav suspended RN Singh, then the matter was settled somewhere.
