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Lathicharged during Akhilesh period; Disciples were beaten during Yogi Raj, why does Avimukteshwaranand remain in controversies?

By Samira Vishwas

Shankaracharya Avimukteswarananda: Jyotirmath’s Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is once again embroiled in controversies. This time he had come to take bath in the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, but after an altercation with his disciples, he staged a protest. He alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to murder him by creating a stampede.

Last year also he was in a lot of discussion and controversies during Mahakumbh. He has raised questions on the consecration ceremony of Ram temple and other religious leaders have also targeted him. Many times his claim of being Shankaracharya has also been questioned, which he defends with his own arguments.

Why does Avimukteshwarananda remain in controversies?

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda was once called an ‘agent of Congress’ Sometimes it is said that PM is ‘anti-Modi’ It is declared. Sometimes he himself claims that Rahul Gandhi is not a Hindu, sometimes he is also seen supporting PM Modi. Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda’s sharp comments on political issues keep him in controversies.

What is the new dispute on Sangam bank?

On the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, Avimukteshwaranand reached Magh Mela area for bathing at Sangam in Prayagraj. When his supporters and disciples were moving towards the ghat with his procession, the administration stopped them. This led to a dispute and scuffle. There have been allegations that the police beat up the disciples of Avimukteshwarananda. He said that if the saints were treated like this then he would not take the holy bath. He said that information about the bath was given three days in advance.

Responding to this whole issue, the administration said that Shankaracharya’s disciples were trying to go to Sangam Nose together, whereas the administration had asked them to go in small groups. Ultimately Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand got angry and returned without taking bath. Now he has given up food and water and is sitting on strike. This is why this incident has become a big issue since then. Opposition parties have openly come in support of Shankaracharya.

Is Avimukteshwaranand Shankaracharya or not?

The first controversy related to Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati is whether he is a legitimate Shankaracharya or not. There are four monasteries established by Adi Shankaracharya in the Sanatan tradition. These four monasteries are Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Puri. Each of these has a different Shankaracharya.

Shankaracharya was created on the basis of will

Avimukteshwaranand is associated with Jyotirmath of Badrinath. Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati passed away on September 11, 2022. At that time he was the Shankaracharya of this monastery. On the basis of his will, Swaroopanand’s personal secretary Subodhanand Maharaj declared Avimukteshwaranand as the new Shankaracharya.

shankaracharya vimukteshwaranand saraswati

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati (Source- Social Media)

However, Sanyasi Akhara and other Akharas refused to accept him as Shankaracharya. At that time Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad had said that the appointment of Avimukteshwaranand was against the rules. Despite these controversies, he remains on this post and represents Jyotirmath.

Avimukteshwaranand is a vocal critic of Modi.

Like his guru Swaroopanand Saraswati, Avimukteshwaranand is also very politically active. When the consecration ceremony was to be held in the Ram temple in 2024, Avimukteshwaranand opposed it. He also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this pretext. He had said that the consecration of the idol in an incomplete temple was being done only for political gains.

protested against the consecration of Ram temple

He calls himself ‘anti-Modi’ Although he does not like to be called so, he is often seen criticizing the Prime Minister. When many houses and alleged temples were demolished during the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and pictures of idols found from those houses were revealed, Avimukteshwarananda strongly criticized PM Modi. In this regard, he said ‘Save the temple, save the heritage’. Also started the campaign.

In 2015, there were ‘government lathi’ victims of

In 2015, during the SP government, the Varanasi administration had given permission to immerse Ganesh idols in Lakshmi Kund. However, the saint community wanted to immerse him in the Ganga. Disobeying the High Court order, Avimukteshwaranand and many other saints performed the immersion. After this the police resorted to lathicharge, in which dozens of saints including Avimukteshwarananda were injured.

After a long standoff, the police finally dispersed the protesters by lathicharge. The video of this lathi charge is often shared with different stories. It can be seen in the video that as soon as the police hits Avimukteshwarananda with sticks, he spreads his arms and shouts ‘Hit me’ Saying this he stands up.

Yogi’s resignation sought over Mahakumbh stampede

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

Also read: Avimukteshwaranand, real Shankaracharya or fake? Controversy arose after asking for Yogi’s resignation, right answer will be found here

At that time Avimukteshwaranand had said that these people are incompetent. He betrayed the Sant Samaj and dismissed the stampede as a rumour. We trusted him and took the royal bath without observing a moment’s silence for the dead. This is very unfortunate. The Prime Minister, Home Minister and BJP President should remove CM Yogi Adityanath from his post.

Samira Vishwas 205 posts 0 comments
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