Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar stated that the administration acted responsibly and in the public interest during the recent scuffle involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Shankaracharya at Sangam Ghat. Rajbhar emphasized that the administration had already clarified the situation, pointing to visual evidence and media coverage of the incident.
In a similar vein, UP Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal emphasized that security protocols must be followed by all individuals, regardless of their status, during large public gatherings. Aggarwal highlighted the need for vigilance and adherence to regulations to prevent disruptions, noting that legal consequences could follow for those who violate the rules.
The chaos at Sangam during the Mauni Amavasya bathing rituals, a key event of the Prayagraj Mela, was attributed to the massive influx of devotees. Authorities imposed movement restrictions in sensitive areas due to the high crowd density, aiming to avert potential stampede risks. The procession of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwar Saraswati was halted as the Sangam area was declared a no-vehicle zone for safety reasons.
Following a confrontation between Shankaracharya’s supporters and police over the vehicle restriction, security personnel intervened to restore order at the fairgrounds. Swami Avimukteshwaranand chose not to partake in the holy dip at the Sangam in response to the handling of the situation. Officials reiterated their commitment to enforcing crowd control measures uniformly for devotees’ safety during peak bathing hours.
