Congress Workers Stage Protest in Varanasi Over FIR Against Seer
In a significant development in Varanasi, Congress workers staged a vigorous protest at the district headquarters on Wednesday. The demonstration was organized following a call by UP Congress Committee President Ajay Rai, targeting the lodging of an FIR under the Pocso Act against Swami Avimukteshwaranand.
Demands for Prime Minister's Intervention and Impartial Probe
The protesters demanded immediate intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt what they termed as harassment of the seer. They called for an impartial investigation into the incident, specifically requesting that it be conducted by a retired high court judge to ensure transparency and fairness.
A group of Congress functionaries and workers, led by city chief Raghvendra Chaubey, reached the district headquarters amid the resonant sound of conch shells. The demonstrators issued a stern warning, stating that if any repressive action was taken against the seer, their party would strongly oppose it and launch a widespread movement through democratic means.
Seer's Press Conference and Allegations
A few hours after the protest, Swami Avimukteshwaranand convened a press conference. During the conference, he made serious allegations against the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari. The seer claimed that Brahmachari, whom he described as having a criminal past, was sharing updates on the probe with mediapersons through a WhatsApp group.
"It appears that he's a part of the probe team," Avimukteshwaranand stated, raising concerns about the integrity of the investigation. Without directly naming Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the seer emphasized that anyone who wears saffron clothes should behave like a saint, implying a call for ethical conduct from those in positions of religious and political authority.
Memorandum to Prime Minister Modi
In their memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Modi, the Congress workers referenced the Magh Mela Prayagraj incident that occurred during Avimukteshwaranand's procession. They condemned the lodging of the FIR, describing it as an action against the dignity of the entire saint community and the Sanatan tradition.
The memorandum outlined specific demands:
- Prime Minister Modi must intervene personally to address the situation.
- The entire matter should be investigated in a time-bound and transparent manner.
- The investigation must be conducted under the supervision of a retired high court judge to uncover the truth.
The protest underscores growing tensions in Varanasi over legal actions involving religious figures, with political parties like the Congress positioning themselves as defenders of traditional values and judicial fairness. The incident highlights the intersection of law, politics, and religion in contemporary Indian society, setting the stage for potential further movements if demands are not met.
