Sustainable living and tackling pollution were on the agenda as faith and spiritual leaders joined politicians at a three-day Kumbh Conclave last week in Allahabad, north India.
The protection of greenery in the city, promotion of eco-friendly choices and increasing awareness of a plastic and pollution-free Kumbh Mela were some topics that were discussed at the meeting.
Among those who attended were His Holiness (HH) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji (HH Pujya Muniji), president of the Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), and founder of the Ganga Action Parivar, a co-founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
He said: “The Kumbh Mela is a great Make India programme - of all, by all and for all. The time has come for us to rise above our ego and logos and come forward to protect our culture and our nature to shape and mould our collective future.”
HH Pujya Muniji urged spiritual leaders and ashrams to come together for a “New India”.
He added: “We must encourage our saints and spiritual leaders to follow a “four I programme”. They must provide information on the real challenges and threats faced by our nation, inspiration to address these challenges by finding and becoming the solutions, furthermore they must lead the appropriate implementation of these solutions and finally, provide innovation in the assimilation of these solutions with the society.”
Spiritual leaders and prominent politicians who attended the event also included Pujya Swami Parmatmanandji of Gujarat, Pujya Swami Brahmeshanandacharyaji, of Goa, Pujya Kamal Nayan Dasji of Ayodhya, Prof Dr Raja Ram Yadav, vice chancellor, Jaunpur Purvanchal University, Rakesh Tripathi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, Uttar Pradesh and Nishchal . Pandey, director of the Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu.
The meeting was organised by the India Think Council, in association with the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, MNNIT Allahabad, University of Allahabad, from July 27-29 at the Motilal Nehru Medical College.
Ramit Sharma, the inspector general of Allahabad, said working together would help make the Kumbh Mela a success.
“I encourage you to break the concept of us vs them,” he said. “The administration is open and welcome to all your suggestions. In order to make the Kumbh Mela a grand success we need to work together as one family to welcome our world family. I look forward to Pujya Swamiji’s blessing to bring a greater harmony between each other and between the people and the political administration.”
Also at the event, there was a discussion to revive a Sanskrit Vidyalaya in Allahabad and make it a Vedic Excellence Centre. There was also plans to start a divine Ganga Aarti, on the same lines of the Ganga Aarti in Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) at the Dashaswamedh Ghat in front of the Sanskrit Vidyalaya.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)