Dehradun: The arrest of Pooja Shakun Pandey in the bike showroom Abhishek Gupta murder case in Aligarh has caused a stir in the Sant Samaj. Reportedly, Pooja Shakun Pandey, by assuming the form of sannyas, not only achieved a high position in the arena but also killed in the greed of personal interest. There is deep resentment in the Akhara Parishad and the Sant Samaj after this whole matter came to light. The Akhara Parishad is now going to take a major decision to prevent such cases from being repeated.
Double life of Pooja Shakun Pandey: Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Pooja Shakun Pandey presented herself as a self-sacrificing sadhvi at the time of her entry into the Sant Samaj. Later he also got the post of Mahamandeshwar. Investigation revealed that he had concealed his real family situation. She has a husband and children. She was already living a household life. Everyone is surprised after this fact came out in the Sant Samaj.
Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri expressed deep concern over the entire matter. We have made some mistakes before, he said. We also believed in the case of Pooja Shakun Pandey. He hid his family information from us. She became Mahamandeshwar for the purpose of earning money, not for the spirit of religious service. Mahant Ravindra Puri said that now the arena council has decided that in future, if any person, whether male or female, wants to join the arena, he will be thoroughly investigated. This investigation will be done not only at the arena level but also through the police and administration. So that his background, family situation and previous activities can be clarified. Action will be taken against those who hide household life: The arena council president said that in the coming days, the council will also examine all those Mahamandeshwars and office-bearers who have been included in the arenas in the past, if anyone’s life is found to be a householder, he will be expelled from the arena with immediate effect. We will not delay anymore, he said. He said that action should be taken against those who are running families under the cover of the arena. The threat to the property of the arenas increased: Mahant Ravindra Puri, chairman of the arena council, admitted that in recent years there have been instances in many arenas where a sadhu-saint had inducted other members of his family after getting a position in the arena. Gradually, the same people begin to take possession of the land, building and economic property of the arena. This trend is dangerous. He said this not only violates the decency of the saint tradition but also the property of the arenas gets stuck in disputes. Pooja Shakun incident becomes a warning sign: The case of Pooja Shakun Pandey is being seen as a big warning for the Sant Samaj. The Arena Council is now going to prepare a detailed database. In which the full information of the office-bearers of each arena will be recorded. It will keep his family background, date of entry into sadhu life, his guru tradition, and police records. The council believes that this will allow in the future to identify fake sadhus or selfish elements in advance.
There will be a reorganisation within the arena council as well: Mahant Ravindra Puri said the council is now going to constitute an inquiry committee which will monitor the activities of each arena. The committee will also see if any official is related to private business or property management. He said there will be no business or family expansion in the name of religion. The dignity of the saint society is paramount. Matters like puja omens have taught us.
Both anger and introspection in the Sant Samaj: There is anger in the Sant Samaj after the arrest of Pooja Shakun Pandey. On the other hand, self-reflection is also going on. Many saints say that today the credibility of the saint tradition has been questioned because of such people. Saints believe that the time has come when the arenas should be operated in a transparent and disciplined system.
