who, who

[Guest guest]

Yet even if observed immaculately, ascetic life was largely irrelevant to

the general populace, who for their practical religious needs looked to the

caste Goswamis and smärta priests--who however were generally as devoid of

genuine spiritual consciousness as those they purported to guide.

 

 

----

In the above sentence 'who' is used twice, each time in a similar manner. Is

this acceptable or does it need to be changed?

 

Is a possible solution to treat 'general populace' as a singular noun, thus:

 

"...which for its practical religious needs..." (?)