The incident involving the alleged mistreatment of a prominent Shankaracharya during the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj has drawn sharp criticism from sections of the saint community and traditional organizations.In a press release issued on January 24 from Prayagraj, Laxmimani Shastri, the national president of the Hinglaj Sena reportedly founded  by the late Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swarupanand Saraswati strongly condemned what she described as the improper humiliation of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji Maharaj. She emphasized that saints have long symbolized Indian culture, spirituality, and social harmony. 

The controversy stems from events on Mauni Amavasya (January 18, 2026), a major bathing festival at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj. Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, seated in his traditional palanquin, sought to proceed to the Sangam nozzle for the holy dip but was allegedly stopped by police officials, which the seer and his supporters viewed as disrespectful.

Laxmimani Shastri asserted that it is the government's duty to safeguard the traditions of monasteries, temples, and the ascetic community.  She demanded that the government and administration immediately apologize to Swami Ji and persuade him to take the sacred dip. Failure to do so, she warned, would compel the Hinglaj Sena to protest.

 This development comes amid broader tensions reported at the Magh Mela, including protests and notices from the Mela administration questioning titles.