Mumbai: Alleging Maharashtra government's failure to maintain law and order at Kumbh mela in Nasik, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 4 urged Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to withdraw the cases filed against 25 sadhus (seers) in connection with the August 27 stampede that claimed 35 lives.

"It is incorrect to file cases against sadhus for the stampede as it was the government's duty to maintain law and order," Konkan region VHP leader Vekatech Abdeo said in a statement in Mumbai.

To hide the failure of the government, he alleged that the authorities were filing cases against sadhus. The action against sadhus would send a wrong message to the people, the VHP leader said.

The government had filed cases against 25 sadhus including Swami Ishwarpuri of Jagannath temple, Mahant Dyanprakash maharaj and Swami Mukeshdas Maharaj for throwing silver coins that led to stampede on the day of 'Shahi Snan', (holy bath) on August 27.

PTI