UP CM Yogi’s Fiery Assault on Shankaracharya, Swamiji reacts

metro india news  I lucknow

In a dramatic escalation of tensions within India's religious and political spheres,Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unleashed a scathing attack on Swami AvimukteshwaranandSaraswati, the self-proclaimed Shankaracharya of Jyotirmutt (Jyotirmath), during a heated session in the stateassembly. The remarks, made on February 13, have sparked widespread debate, drawing sharp reactions from the seer himself and opposition leaders, while highlighting deep divisions over religious authority, tradition, andgovernance in the state.

The controversy traces its roots to an incident during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj on January 18, whenAvimukteshwaranand alleged that police prevented him and his followers from taking a holy dip at the TriveniSangam on Mauni Amavasya, a day when millions of devotees congregate for ritual baths. The seer claimed hisassociates were mistreated, leading to a protest and a hunger strike. The Prayagraj administration denied theseallegations, stating that the restrictions were imposed for crowd management to prevent potential stampedesamid the massive gathering of 4.5 crore pilgrims. Adding fuel to the fire, authorities issued a notice toAvimukteshwaranand questioning his use of the "Shankaracharya" title on camp signage, citing a pendingSupreme Court case over his legitimacy as the head of Jyotirmath Peeth.

Addressing the assembly during a discussion on the Governor's address in the ongoing budget session,Adityanath did not mince words. 

Without directly naming Avimukteshwaranand, he asserted that "not everyonecan call themselves a Shankaracharya" and emphasized the sanctity of the institution established by AdiShankaracharya centuries ago. "The Shankaracharya position is sacred in Sanatan Dharma, guided by traditionand rules," he said, warning that misusing such titles could disturb public order and create chaos. He drewparallels to the impossibility of anyone roaming the state claiming to be the Chief Minister, underscoring that "noindividual is above the law." Adityanath also accused opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party (SP), ofglorifying "anti-national elements" while disrespecting cultural symbols and national heroes. He referenced a2015 incident under the previous SP government where seers, including those associated withAvimukteshwaranand's predecessor, faced lathi charges in Varanasi, questioning the opposition's suddendefense of the seer.

The Chief Minister's comments were part of a broader critique of forces he likened to "Kaal Nemi-like elements" – a mythological reference to deceptive demons in Hindu lore – attempting to undermine Sanatan Dharma. Earlier, in a speech in Haryana, Adityanath had indirectly compared Avimukteshwaranand to such forces, urging followers to remain vigilant against conspiracies. This rhetoric has divided even his own government, with Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya initially referring to the seer as "bhagwan Shankaracharya" and promising an inquiry into the Magh Mela incident, only for Adityanath to counter with stricter assertions. 

Avimukteshwaranand,  has swiftly retaliated. Speaking in Varanasi he lambasted Adityanath's remarks as "objectionable" and an unwarranted interference in religious matters. "Anyone who supports him is being called a Shankaracharya. Someone who talks about Sanatan Dharma is being told he is not a Shankaracharya at all," he said, without naming the CM directly. The seer questioned the political authority to define religious titles, stating, "There is no provision in the country's laws authorizing any Chief Minister to decide who can hold the religious title." He further challenged Adityanath to prove his commitment to Hindu values by halting beef exports from Uttar Pradesh and declaring the cow as 'Rashtra Mata' or 'Rajya Mata.' "The first step of being a Hindu is love for cows," he declared, escalating the personal attack by alleging that Adityanath had withdrawn over 40 criminal cases against himself after assuming office. 

The exchange has reverberated across political lines. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed Adityanath's comments as "derogatory" and "indecent," accusing him of indulging in hate politics even on religious issues. "Such remarks have been permanently recorded in the House," Yadav noted, calling for introspection. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rallied behind Adityanath, with supporters emphasizing the need for discipline and legal adherence in religious events.