Serious differences have cropped up within the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the highest body of sadhus in the country, over recognising the Kinnar Akhara, a group of transgender sadhus, as an independent sect for the Haridwar Kumbh in March-April.

Such recognition allows an akhara to take out its own procession with its members, accompanied by horses and elephants, for the Shahi Snan (royal bath) in the Ganga, for which a separate time slot is allotted. Akharas that are not recognised have to tie up with other akharas for the march and the holy bath.

A section of sadhus from the Parishad — recognised by all akharas as their supreme body — are vehemently opposed to the Kinnar Akhara being recognised as a separate sect and allowed an independent procession at the Kumbh, while others do not have a problem with such an arrangement, accepting it as a sign of changing times.

“There are only 13 akharas (sects of sadhus) in Hindu religion and the Kinnar Akhara is a recent creation that can never be accepted as an independent sect,” Baba Hathyogi, a representative of the Digambar Ani Akhara, said in a statement in Hardwar on Wednesday.

He attacked the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the umbrella outfit of the 13 akharas, for the decision of some of its sadhus to recognise the Kinnar Akhara as an independent sect. “I refuse to recognise the Parishad if it accepts an akhara of transgenders,” Hathyogi said.

“Adi Shankaracharya had founded seven akharas. Six more were formed after a few years. Later, the Vairagi Ani Akhara (of Sikh sadhus) was formed. But it was never considered an independent akhara. Members of the Vairagi Ani Akhara take the holy dip in the Ganga during Shahi Snan after joining the procession of one or the other recognised akharas. Unfortunately, some members of the Parishad have allowed the Kinnar Akhara to have their separate procession and bath. A large number of sadhus, including me, have refused to accept it,” Hathyogi said.

Narendra Giri, the president of the Parishad, said: “We have no problem if the Kinnar Akhara goes with the Juna Akhara to take bath, like it did during the Ardh Kumbh in Allahabad in 2019. But it cannot be allowed to go on its own as the 14th Akhara.”

But Sri Mahant Hari Giri, the general secretary of the Parishad, threatened to resign if the Kinnar Akhara was not recognised as an independent sect so that it could take out its own procession during the royal baths at the Kumbh.

Mahant Hari Giri said: “Let the time come and the Kinnar Akhara will certainly take the holy baths independently. If needed, I will accompany them. The times are changing and we should also change. They are a new akhara and I recognise them. I may resign to support them.”

Hathyogi demanded that Hari Giri resign immediately. “He can ask the Kinnar Akhara to join the Juna Akhara for the bath in the Ganga but it will not be allowed to move independently at any cost because we don’t allow the existence of a 14th akhara,” Hathyogi said.

“Mahant Gyan Das, who was the president of the Akhara Parishad in 2010, had refused to grant recognition to the Kinnar Akhara as the 14th akhara,” he added.

Mahant Ravidev Shashtri, the general secretary of the Yuva Bharat Sadhu Samaj, said: “The Kinnar Akhara had taken out its procession in Allahabad along with the Juna Akhara. It can continue to do so in Hardwar.”

Swami Alok Giri, the head of the Narmadeshwar Mahadev Temple, Haridwar, said: “We cannot recognise the Kinnar Akhara. It can be a part of the Juna Akhara and take the holy baths.”

Deepak Rawat, the officer in charge of Kumbh, said: “We will allot land for the camps of the akharas and fix their slots for the holy baths only after a discussion with the Parishad. We don’t know about any controversy with regard to any akhara.”

The Kumbh is held every 12th year but this time it will be organised after 11 years because of early alignment of certain planets. The first Shahi Snan will take place on March 11.

The remaining three royal baths will be held on April 12, 14 and 27.

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the head of the Kinnar Akhara, said: “We have our own sect and it had been recognised by all 13 akharas in the past. There is no dispute over our independent identity.”

Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th century philosopher, had founded seven akharas — Mahanirvani, Niranjani, Atal, Avahan, Agni, Ananda and Nirvani. Six more akharas were formed later — Nirmal Panchayati, Nirmohi, Digambar, Juna, Udasin Bara and Udasin Naya.