In a dramatic escalation of tensions at the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the alleged mistreatment of Jyotishpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciples by police forces. The incident, which unfolded on Mauni Amavasya during the royal bath, has ignited widespread outrage over violations of constitutional rights and religious freedoms.
Advocate Ujjwal Gaur submitted the petition on Friday, invoking Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality, life and personal liberty, and freedom of religion respectively. Graphic videos circulating online show police halting the Shankaracharya’s palanquin, shoving disciples, and even dragging Brahmin students by their sacred tufts, actions decried as deeply humiliating.
The PIL argues that the absence of a standardized operating procedure (SOP) for handling revered religious figures like Shankaracharyas during major events leads to arbitrary police conduct. This lack of protocol not only emboldens misuse of authority but also wounds the sentiments of millions of devotees.
Demanding immediate judicial intervention, the petition calls for a permanent SOP to govern the ceremonial processions, security arrangements, and bath rituals of saints at melas like Magh Mela. It also seeks a robust grievance redressal mechanism for religious leaders facing state excesses, complete with swift relief provisions, and strict guidelines to curb police overreach in future religious gatherings.
The controversy erupted as the Shankaracharya approached the Sangam for his ritual dip. Barricades erected for crowd control blocked his path, sparking protests from followers that quickly turned into scuffles. In protest, the spiritual leader staged a sit-in and fasted for over a week before departing the mela on January 28 without taking the holy bath, returning to Varanasi amid accusations against the state government for favoring ‘fake Hindus’.
This episode raises profound questions about the balance between public order and religious reverence in India’s vibrant festival culture. As the Supreme Court deliberates, devotees across the nation await a verdict that could redefine protocols for one of Hinduism’s most sacred traditions.