Haridwar Spiritual Summit Pushes for Single Nationwide Poll

On August 23, Haridwar hosted a major spiritual summit where saints from across India endorsed the "One Nation, One Election" initiative. The gathering, which included representatives from numerous akhadas, sects and traditions, was described as a decisive step toward reinforcing India’s democratic framework.

Mahamandaleshwar Karoli Shankar Mahadev told the press that the discussion, taking place on the holy soil of Haridwar and in the presence of revered gurus, sends a powerful national signal. He likened the forthcoming law to earlier reforms that have strengthened the country, asserting that a single election will make democracy more robust and enhance sectors such as education, health, justice and agriculture.

Mahamandaleshwar Rupendra Prakash highlighted the excessive cost of conducting separate Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state assembly elections repeatedly. He argued that the taxpayers’ money saved could be better utilized for development projects, educational initiatives and health services.

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand emphasized that saints representing all faiths and customs gathered in unison, supporting the proposal. He also called for a uniform education system and a single health‑care network so that children and patients from both poor and rich families receive identical standards of service.

The event also featured a critique of the monsoon session of Parliament by a World Hindu Council leader, who blamed the Nehru family for misusing ₹135 crore. Rahul Gandhi was described as behaving like a circus act, allegedly trying to create disorder.

The spiritual community urged the central government to expedite the passage of the bill in Parliament, aiming to stop the waste of time and money caused by repeated elections and to accelerate the nation’s development agenda.