What began as a skirmish at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj has snowballed into a major flashpoint, with Ayodhya’s influential saints closing ranks behind Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand. The January 3 confrontation with mela authorities has prompted demands for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to order a no-holds-barred investigation.
From the revered Hanumangarhi Siddh Peeth, Acharya Amit Das Maharaj expressed deep dismay. ‘Treating a Shankaracharya this way is a grave error,’ he asserted. ‘It was all based on concocted tales to malign the UP CM and government. Action must be taken against those who dishonored the sacred shikha of Brahmins and the guru—it’s an assault on our dharmic legacy.’
Deveshcharya Maharaj reinforced this, terming the event a dark stain on the mela’s sanctity. ‘Saints and Kalpvasis define the Magh Mela’s essence,’ he said. ‘Insulting a Brahmin’s shikha, the core of his devotion, is unforgivable. Officials questioning his title smacks of foul play, tarnishing both the saint and the state.’ He implored the CM to act decisively.
Acharya Narayan Mishra of the Parmahans Samadhi site balanced his critique, lauding the government’s support for sadhus but warning of saboteurs. ‘Everyone has a right to the sacred bath. CM Yogi respects saints immensely, yet some are scheming to discredit him,’ he cautioned.
The chorus from Ayodhya signals a critical juncture for religious-administrative relations, pressing for accountability to prevent further erosion of trust in this vital cultural event.