Magh Mela Turns Political Battleground as Swami Saraswati Protest Escalates
The ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj has transformed from a religious gathering into a significant political confrontation, with multiple parties clashing over the treatment of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. The seer, recognized as the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, has been staging a sit-in protest since January 18 after Uttar Pradesh Police allegedly prevented him from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya.
Opposition Parties Seize Opportunity to Attack BJP
The Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav and the Congress have both extended their support to Avimukteshwaranand, using the incident to launch sharp attacks against the ruling BJP government. Both opposition parties have accused the BJP of "disrespecting Sanatan Dharma" and showing disregard for religious traditions.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav stated emphatically: "If an officer asks a Shankaracharya for his certificate then there cannot be a bigger disrespect to Sanatan Dharma... We would stand against anyone who disrespects sadhus and saints." The party has launched a social media campaign supporting the seer and warning that the BJP government would be held responsible if his health deteriorates.
Congress state chief Ajay Rai visited Avimukteshwaranand on Wednesday, declaring: "All of Kashi's people are with you. We promise that all Sanatanis are with you today." He directly accused the BJP government of insulting Sanatan Dharma through its actions.
BJP's Internal Divisions and Response
The BJP finds itself in a delicate position with apparent internal divisions over how to handle the situation. While most party leaders have maintained silence, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has taken a reconciliatory approach, urging the seer to end his protest and take the holy dip while promising action against any officials who may have shown disrespect.
Maurya stated: "I pray at the feet of Lord Shankaracharya that he ends whatever protest is ongoing and concludes his protest after taking a dip in the Sangam." He assured that the government would investigate and take action against any officers found guilty of disrespecting the religious leader.
However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath struck a different tone during an event in Haryana, warning about "demons who under the pretext of religion are conspiring to weaken Sanatan Dharma." Though he didn't name anyone specifically, his comments added another layer to the complex political dynamics surrounding the controversy.
Escalating Tensions and Legal Notices
The situation has escalated significantly with the Prayagraj Mela Authority issuing multiple notices to Avimukteshwaranand. The first notice claimed that he and his supporters attempted to "force their way" toward the Triveni Sangam on January 18, potentially risking a stampede. The authority questioned why the Swami shouldn't be barred from future melas and sought his response.
In a more controversial move, a second notice cited a 2022 Supreme Court order to question his use of the title "Shankaracharya." The Supreme Court had stayed his coronation as Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in 2022 after another religious leader challenged his appointment, leaving the matter sub-judice.
Avimukteshwaranand's lawyers have strongly refuted all charges and threatened legal action against the officials. The seer himself has remained firm in his protest, refusing to take the holy dip until action is taken against the officials who allegedly misbehaved with him. He has been without food or water during his sit-in outside his camp in Prayagraj.
Historical Context and Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Avimukteshwaranand has found himself at the center of controversy or in conflict with the BJP government:
- Following the deadly stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj last year, he blamed the Adityanath government for the incident
- In January 2024, ahead of the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya, he declined to attend the ceremony and objected to the consecration taking place for an "under-construction temple"
- A year earlier, he alleged that 228 kg of gold was missing from the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, referring to it as a "scam"
The current standoff represents another chapter in the complex relationship between the religious leader and the political establishment, with significant implications for religious politics in Uttar Pradesh as the controversy continues to unfold.
