Pb to accept mahants’ decision on successors

Patiala: Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh

Channi

on Friday said the Punjab government would recognise only the decisions made by mahants of Hindu religious deras and

sadhu samaj

regarding their successors. He also offered cabinet rank to Mahant Atma Ram, representing Sadhu Samaj, in order to ensure prompt redressal of their problems.Channi made this announcement at Harpal Tiwana auditorium here during the Virat Sant Sammelan organised by the Sarv Sampradaya Sadhu Mandal, Patiala, and Bhekh Khat Darshan

Sadhu Samaj Mahamandal

, Punjab.Accepting the demands put forward by the Sadhu Samaj, Channi said it is the tradition of Sant and Sadhu Samaj to choose their successor and the government would not interfere in the matter in any way. Further, the directions about clearing pending mutations of deras in the state would be given as per the wishes of the

Sant Samaj

.Channi said the state government would recognise the will made by the ‘Sant’ leaving for his heavenly abode regarding the nomination of successor, but in case of no such happening, the decision of Bhekh Bhagwan would be given credence.