In a dramatic escalation of the controversy surrounding the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, the saintly community of Ayodhya has rallied firmly behind Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand. The clash between the revered spiritual leader and the fair administration on January 3 has sparked widespread outrage, drawing reactions from politicians and holy men alike.
Acharya Amit Das Maharaj of Siddh Peeth Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya minced no words. ‘This was utterly wrong,’ he declared. ‘No fair administration should treat a saint like this, especially not a Jagadguru Shankaracharya. The actions against him were completely unjustified, based on fabricated stories aimed at tarnishing the image of the Chief Minister and the Uttar Pradesh government.’
He emphasized the gravity of the incident, pointing out that those who manhandled the Shankaracharya’s shikha (tuft of hair) alongside young Brahmin boys must face strict action. ‘In our Sanatan Dharma, the Brahmin’s shikha is a sacred heritage. Pulling it is a profound insult,’ Amit Das added, urging CM Yogi Adityanath to conduct an impartial investigation and punish the guilty.
Echoing these sentiments, Deveshcharya Maharaj of Ayodhya Dham’s Hanumangarhi Siddh Peeth called the episode a ‘black day’ for the Magh Mela, the pinnacle of festivals for Sanatan Dharma followers. ‘The fair’s grandeur comes from saints, Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and Kalpvasis. Treating them this way is deplorable,’ he said. He highlighted the shikha as the ultimate symbol of a Brahmin’s faith and spiritual identity, demanding that CM Yogi take the matter seriously and act against the perpetrators.
Deveshcharya also criticized the administration for questioning the Shankaracharya’s credentials, calling it a conspiracy to defame him and damage the government’s reputation. Meanwhile, Acharya Narayan Mishra of Ayodhya Dham’s Mahant Parmahans Samadhi Sthal acknowledged the state government’s facilities for saints but accused certain elements at the mela of plotting to malign CM Yogi, who holds all saints in high regard.
As the row intensifies, the call for justice grows louder, with Ayodhya’s saints united in their demand for transparency and accountability.