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Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti on Tuesday affirmed that demanding proof from Swami Avimukteshwaranand regarding his Shankracharya title was a violation of propriety.
Having said this, she outlined that her statement doesn't mean any disrespect towards Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In an X post, Bharti stated that the right to demand such proofs lies only with the Shankracharya or the scholarly council. "Don't harbour illusions against Yogi; my statement is not against Yogi ji--I hold feelings of respect, affection, and goodwill toward him. However, I stand firm on this: the administration must maintain strict control over law and order, but demanding proof of someone's status as Shankaracharya is a violation of propriety; only the Shankaracharya or the scholarly council can do that," she posted on X. In a separate post, Bharti urged for a positive resolution between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji Maharaj and the Uttar Pradesh government. "I believe that a positive resolution will emerge between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji Maharaj and the Uttar Pradesh government, but the administrative authorities demanding proof of his status as Shankaracharya--this is a violation by the administration of its own limits and authority; this right belongs solely to the Shankaracharyas and the council of scholars," the post read. Her comments follow the alleged attempt to prevent Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati from taking a dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela. However, the Prayagraj administration has rejected the allegations. Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal said the Shankaracharya arrived without prior permission, accompanied by around 200 followers, despite heavy crowding at the Sangam. On Saturday, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said that in recent years, interference by political figures in religious festivals, holidays, worship rituals, and bathing ceremonies had increased not only in Uttar Pradesh, but across the country. She said this trend is giving rise to new conflicts and concerns among the public. Citing the Prayagraj bathing ceremony dispute as a fresh example, Mayawati cautioned that "linking religion with politics for narrow political gains carries inherent dangers". "The bitter dispute brewing in Prayagraj over the bathing ceremony should be resolved as quickly as possible through mutual consensus--the sooner, the better," she posted on X. (ANI)
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