A new era of Braj Preservation has emerged from the momentous mass protest at Kaman on 10th November 2009. Sri Ramesh Babaji Maharaj, whilst on the 40 day Braj yatra with 12.000 pilgrims this October, called for a mass protest movement against the mining activities. The mining gone on without check, despite government reassurances, ordnances and a Supreme Court ruling that it be stopped, during the eight yearlong campaign under Baba’s aegis, to cease the destructive mining of the Sacred Braj Hills. Having exhausted all other means of addressing the issue Baba called for a mass protest in November when the yatra reached Kaman, in Rajasthan Sate.

This is the area of the sacred forest of Kamvan, which is surrounded by these hills and guarded by the kshetrapal ( guardian ) of Braj, Sri Kaameshwar Mahadev,( Shiva), whose presence here was consecrated by Sri Krishna’s grandson Vajranabh, about 5000 years ago. Baba Maharaj’s commitment and determination to halt this destruction once and for all, by fasting to death himself, if need be, inspired a mass gathering of devotees, rising to his call for selfless and fearless seva. From four hundred devotees fasting with Baba, the numbers rose to many thousands. Children as young as 8 years old were determined to keep the fast with Baba. Baba appreciated their determination to follow the attitude of the fearless bal bhaktas (child devotees) Dhruva and Prahald, who were even younger than these children when they performed their legendary feats of ascetic devotion.

Memories of the Great Hunger Strike of Kaman that saved the Braj Hills

Baba had also undertaken a mauna- vrata (a pledge to not speak) and he had refused to drink water. Many sadhus from Braj arrived to support the protest. Math adhikaris (leaders of various religious groups) from different Vaishnava Sampradayas, including a representative of The Shakaracharya of Puri Math and a representative of the Vishwa HinduParishad were present. They made strong speeches about their understanding of the sacred significance of the Hills as well as the economic and environmental reasons for their preservation. They issued a call ,echoing Baba Maharaj ,that all the natural environment of Braj, the kunds , the kunjas ( sacred water bodies and forests) be preserved and the river Yamuna be revived. Collectively, these sadhus , pledged to follow Baba Maharaj’s call with all the strength of their various groups. A graphic demonstration of the violence of the mining was borne home by the arrival of a group of protestors who had been on fast since 21st October, carrying the corpses of two peacocks killed by the blasting of the hills by dynamite in the last 24 hours. A leader of The Hare Krishna Movement, Sachinandan Swami, brought some of his students, devotees of Radha - Krishna from Iran, Switzerland and Bosnia .

Their speeches, full of bhava (feeling) for Braj, touched the hearts of over 12000 pilgrims from all over India . Aindra Prabhu and his group, led a rousing kirtan and almost all the 12,000 pilgrims stood up and danced euphorically. Kurma Rupa Prabhu, who began Care for Cows and has selflessly served injured and abandoned cows and bulls for the last 20 years, was also present. To acknowledge his appreciation for this immense support from all over the world, Baba Maharaj broke his vow of silence and thanked the devotees for all their efforts and devotion. He reiterated the value of selfless devotion and Hari naaam sankirtan (congregational chanting). Baba asserted that these were the only powers to counter the effects of this Age of Quarrel ( kali yuga). He cited the example of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s call to Hari nam Sankirtan as the way and means to establish and continue Vedic culture and tradition, which was under threat from the rulers of India at that time.

Baba said Mahaprabhu was confident that this very force, the power of Hari Naam would be heard by the government and it was. History repeated itself at the protest at Kaman. Baba’s fearlessness and conviction in the shakti (potency) of Hari naam translated into a success story for the protection of Braj and the faith of millions of Radha Krishna devotees all over the world. By 9 PM, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Sri Ashok Gehlot, personally spoke to Baba Maharaj and his call was broadcast by microphone to all the protestors. He assured Baba that all points have been conceded and the mining will stop.

Baba Sri and devotees were camping in Kaman till they receive the promise in writing. Around 1:30 AM, the group that was camping in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan State, managed to get the words of the CM in writing. For all present this was also a demonstration of the power of authenticity in the person of Sri Ramesh Babaji Maharaj, to inspire and lead so many by his singular exemplary spirit of devotion to Braj, the land of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.