Pune: Varkari Convention Calls for Alcohol-Free, Meat-Free Pilgrimage Sites Across Maharashtra

Alandi, 15th November 2025: The 19th Varkari Maha-Adhiveshan (Convention) concluded with a series of strong resolutions, including calls to declare all pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra free of alcohol and meat, and to enact a law prohibiting religious proselytising within temple premises. The convention, held under the theme “Wari of Alandi, for the Protection of Nation and Dharma,” drew more than a thousand Varkari devotees from across the state.

The gathering was organised jointly by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, the Rashtriya Varkari Parishad and other organisations at the Sadguru Shri Gangagiri Maharaj Math on the occasion of Kartik Vadya Ekadashi. The discussions focused on what participants described as “attacks on the places of faith, deities, and saints of the Varkari tradition.”

Addressing the audience, H.H. Ramgiri Maharaj alleged, “We must foil the conspiracy of Christian missionaries who are converting tribals by distorting examples from the Ramayana.” H.B.P. Janardan Maharaj Mete added, “In a holy place like Alandi, Christian missionaries are converting Hindus under the guise of providing health and education. We must put a stop to this.”

Sunil Ghanvat, State Organiser of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, demanded the dissolution of the Maharashtra government’s Committee for Awareness and Promotion of the Anti-Witchcraft Act, alleging that it “criticises deities and Dharma.” He further said, “Atheists and people with ‘Urban Naxal’ ideologies are misleading devotees during the Pandharpur Wari, and this must be stopped immediately.” Ghanvat urged saints to collectively meet the state government during the upcoming winter session in Nagpur to ensure that earlier assurances are implemented.

Kranti Petkar of the Ranragini Shakha raised concerns about what she termed ‘Love Jihad’ and sought a dedicated law against it. H.B.P. Akshay Maharaj Bhosale stated that demands such as making pilgrimage sites alcohol- and meat-free, and ensuring purification of the Indrayani river, would be pursued strongly with the government.

Key resolutions passed during the convention included:
* Declaring all pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra alcohol- and meat-free.
• Enacting an Anti-Love Jihad law in the state.
• Repealing the Waqf Act.
• Implementing permanent measures to make the Indrayani and Chandrabhaga rivers pollution-free.
• Strict enforcement of the cow slaughter prohibition act.
• Preventing alleged ideological influence by atheists and ‘Urban Naxals’ during the Pandharpur Wari.

The convention was attended by several saints and dignitaries, including Dandi Swami Amritashramanand Maharaj, H.B.P. Prakash Maharaj Jawanjal, H.B.P. Dattatraya Chorghe Maharaj, members of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi Yatra Committee, H.B.P. Niranjan Shastri Kothekar Maharaj, representatives of the Kailaswasi Mamasahib Dandekar Smruti Pratishthan, H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Rawkar, H.B.P. Sangram Bapu Bhandare, among others.