In a significant development that could potentially create political ripples in Uttar Pradesh, Swami Avimukteshwaranad Saraswati has issued a stern 40-day ultimatum to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The seer, who recently concluded an 11-day protest in Prayagraj, has demanded that the state government officially declare 'gau mata' (cow) as 'rajya mata' (state mother) and take concrete steps to stop the export of cow meat from Uttar Pradesh.
The Ultimatum and Political Implications
Speaking from his math in Varanasi on Friday, Swami Saraswati made it clear that the time for symbolic gestures has passed. "In 40 days, gau mata should be declared as rajya mata and after that, stop the export of cow meat from the state," he asserted. The religious leader emphasized that this demand represents a crucial test for the chief minister, stating that "the chief minister should prove himself to be a Hindu" through these actions.
From Magh Mela Protest to Political Demands
The seer's ultimatum comes after his 11-day sit-in protest at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, where he alleged mistreatment by administration officials who prevented him from taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam on Mauni Amavasya. While maintaining that the Magh Mela issue is now closed and will only be addressed during next year's event, Saraswati has shifted focus to what he considers more substantial matters of governance and religious commitment.
"All that issue is over and would be taken up during the next Magh Mela," he clarified. "I am not taking anyone's apology as it should have been done when I was sitting there on a sit-in for 11 days. Now the time is to answer my questions and demands."
Threat of Sant Sammelan in Lucknow
Should his demands remain unmet within the stipulated timeframe, Swami Saraswati has announced plans to convene a significant sant sammelan (saints' gathering) in Lucknow on March 10-11. This gathering would serve as a platform to decide further courses of action and represents a direct challenge to the state government's authority on religious matters.
The seer explained his choice of location, stating, "Instead of Delhi, the sant sammelan would take place in Lucknow because Yogi Adityanath has tried to suppress the voices raised for gau mata." This statement suggests a deliberate strategy to bring the political pressure directly to the state capital rather than the national capital.
Background of the Controversy
The recent confrontation stems from events during the Magh Mela when administration officials allegedly prevented Swami Saraswati from accessing the Triveni Sangam for his holy dip. The Prayagraj Mela Authority had claimed that the seer and his supporters attempted to "force their way" toward the sacred confluence on January 18, potentially risking a stampede situation.
Despite his prolonged protest, Saraswati ultimately left the Magh Mela on Wednesday without performing the ritual, signaling a shift in strategy from immediate ritualistic concerns to broader political and religious demands.
Political Context and Ramifications
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing religious and political tensions in Uttar Pradesh. The seer's demands place Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a delicate position, forcing him to balance his political image as a Hindu nationalist leader with the practical governance requirements of India's most populous state.
The ultimatum represents more than just a religious demand—it has become a political litmus test that could influence the ruling BJP's standing among its core religious constituencies. With the sant sammelan scheduled for early March, the state government has limited time to formulate a response that addresses both religious sentiments and constitutional considerations.
As the 40-day countdown begins, all eyes will be on how the Uttar Pradesh government navigates this complex intersection of religion, politics, and governance in a state where such issues often have far-reaching consequences.
