Sometimes he was lathicharged, now his disciples are beaten, why does Avimukteshwaranand remain in controversies?

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand is once again in controversy. This time he had come to take bath in the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, but after the fight with his disciples, he has sat on strike. He has alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to kill him by creating a stampede. Last year also during Mahakumbh, he was in a lot of discussion and controversies. Sometimes he questions the sanctity of Ram temple and sometimes he becomes the target of the saint society itself. Many times questions are raised on his being Shankaracharya, to which he answers according to his own arguments.

Sometimes this same Avimukteshwaranand is called an ‘agent of Congress’ and sometimes this same Avimukteshwaranand says about Rahul Gandhi that he is not a Hindu at all. Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda of Jyotirmath, Uttarakhand is in controversies due to his political comments. Recently Avimukteshwaranand had said that he will also field his candidates in Bihar. Let us understand who Avimukteshwaranand is and why he remains in so many controversies.

What is the new controversy?

On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, Avimukteshwaranand had reached Magh Mela area Prayagraj for Sangam bath. When his supporters and disciples were taking his vehicle towards the ghat, the administration stopped them. There was a dispute regarding this and there was a lot of pushing and shoving. There have been allegations that the police beat up the disciples of Avimukteshwarananda. He said that when the saints are treated like this, he will not take bath.

Also read: Why were the disciples of Avimukteshwaranand beaten by the police in Prayagraj?

On this the administration said, ‘Shankaracharya’s disciples were trying to go to Sangam Nose together while the administration asked them to go in small groups.’ At last Avimukteshwarananda became angry and returned without taking bath.

Is there Shankaracharya or not?

The first controversy regarding Avimukteshwaranand is whether he is Shankaracharya or not? Actually, there are four monasteries of Adi Shankaracharya in Sanatan. Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Puri. There is one Shankaracharya among these four. Avimukteshwaranand is related to Jyotirmath of Badrinath. Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati died on 11 September 2022. At that time he was the Shankaracharya of this Peeth. On the basis of his will, Swaroopanand’s personal secretary Subodhanand Maharaj had declared Avimukteshwaranand as Shankaracharya.

However, Sanyasi Akhara and other Akharas refused to accept him as Shankaracharya. Then Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad said that the appointment of Avimukteshwaranand was against the rules. However, despite these controversies, he is holding the charge of this bench and also represents Jyotirmath.

Open criticism of Modi

Like his guru Swaroopanand Saraswati, Avimukteshwaranand is also very active politically. In the year 2024, when the consecration of Ram temple was to take place, Avimukteshwarananda was against it. He had also criticized PM Narendra Modi on this pretext. His argument was that the consecration of the half-completed temple was being done only for political gain. He does not accept calling himself ‘anti-Modi’ but is seen criticizing him on most occasions.

When many houses were demolished during the construction work of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and the picture of the idols coming out of those houses was revealed, Avimukteshwaranand had strongly criticized PM Modi. In this matter, he had also started the ‘Save Temple, Save Heritage’ Yatra.

Also read: What is the fight between Avimukteshwaranand and Dhirendra Shastri?

were victims of sticks

It is the year 2015. The Varanasi administration had given permission that the Ganesh idol could be immersed in Lakshmi Kund. However, the Sant Samaj wanted to immerse it in the Ganga. Going against the order of the High Court, Avimukteshwaranand and all the saints had gone ahead for immersion. After this the police lathicharged. Dozens of saints and sages including Avimukteshwarananda were injured in this. After a long standoff, the police removed the protesters only by lathi charge. The video of this lathicharge is also shared many times with different facts.

It can be seen in this video that as soon as the police hits Avimukteshwaranand with sticks, he stands up with both his hands extended and says – Beat me.

What happened in Mahakumbh?

Last year also during Mahakumbh, Avimukteshwarananda came into limelight. Many people lost their lives in the stampede at the Sangam during bathing in the Maha Kumbh. He had alleged that the government was aware of the entire matter but it was hidden till the evening. Swami Avimukteshwarananda had also sought the resignation of then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During the Dharma Sansad, he also got a resolution passed in which Yogi Adityanath was demanded to resign.

Also read: ‘Don’t consider Rahul Gandhi a Hindu’, declares Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda.

Then Avimukteshwaranand had said, ‘These people are not capable. He betrayed the Sant Samaj and called the stampede a rumour. We believed his words and without maintaining silence for the peace of the dead souls, we took the royal bath. This is very sad. BJP President along with Prime Minister and Home Minister should remove CM Yogi Adityanath from the post.