After being served a notice by the Prayagraj Mela Authority questioning his use of the title ‘Shankaracharya,’ leaders from the Congress and the Samajwadi Party expressed dissatisfaction, claiming injustice against the spiritual leader. Congress leader Udit Raj condemned the government’s actions, alleging mistreatment of those who do not conform to its ideologies. Similarly, Samajwadi Party MP Sanatan Pandey opposed the Authority’s move.
The notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand, as per Mela Authority officials, is based on a Supreme Court order questioning his status as the Shankaracharya of the Jyotirmath. It also seeks clarification on the legitimacy of his title within 24 hours. The case mentioned in the notice involves a legal dispute over the rightful Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, with rival claims by P.S.S.N. Saraswati and Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati.
The conflict between P.S.S.N. Saraswati and Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, disciples of Swami Shantanand Saraswati, revolves around the spiritual leadership of Jyotir Math in Badrinath. The Supreme Court had halted the coronation of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati as the new Shankaracharya in Uttarakhand in October 2022. Traditionally, a peeth is not expected to be without a Shankaracharya, a title reserved for heads of monasteries following the Advaita Vedanta tradition.
The notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand comes amidst a recent clash between his disciples and the Magh Mela administration during the Mauni Amavasya bathing festival. Allegations arose when police reportedly prevented the spiritual leader and his followers from bathing in the Ganga. In response, Swami Avimukteshwaranand protested, demanding an apology from senior officials. The Mela Officer claimed that the seer’s supporters had breached barricades on a reserved bridge during the incident.
