Amid the controversy over the Prayagraj administration allegedly preventing Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati from taking bath in the Sangam during the ongoing Magh Mela, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, accusing it of violating the traditions of Sanatan Dharma.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati and other saints are a matter of pride, and it is natural for devotees to gather during major religious events to meet them and seek their blessings. He emphasized that this practice is an integral part of Sanatan Dharma.
Akhilesh Yadav told reporters “See, Shankaracharya ji and all our saints and sages are our pride. When such a big event happens, it is natural for people to come to meet him and seek his blessings. His followers get a lot of guidance and knowledge from him – this is the tradition of Sanatan Dharma. And if anyone is breaking this tradition, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Akhilesh Yadav told reporters.
The SP chief alleged that the BJP should not have behaved like this through its office-bearers and accused the party of deliberately insulting saints and sages. He further claimed that the BJP has failed to uphold the Constitution, rule of law and the values of brotherhood and culture, which according to him are the identity of the country.
He further said, “The BJP should not have behaved like this through its office-bearers. The Bharatiya Janata Party has deliberately insulted the saints and sages. The Constitution and the law, which are the identity of our country, brotherhood and culture – these are the things that should be respected and followed – the Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to do so.”
Meanwhile, while clarifying on the issue on January 18, Prayagraj officials said that Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati had come without prior permission and had violated established traditions.
Prayagraj Division Divisional Commissioner Soumya Aggarwal said that despite the huge crowd at the Sangam, Shankaracharya reached the Rath Yatra with about 200 followers. He alleged that his followers broke the barricades and blocked the return route for about three hours, causing inconvenience to common devotees and posing a serious security threat.
Soumya Aggarwal told ANI, “Swami Avimukteshwarananda ji had come to take bath in a chariot with about 200 followers, against the traditions and without any permission. There was a huge crowd at the Sangam and his followers broke the barrier and blocked the return route for about 3 hours. Because of this, common citizens had to face a lot of trouble. Any untoward incident could have happened.”
