Following the tragic stampede at the Mahakumbh, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda of Jyotishpeeth issued a Paramdharma order demanding the removal of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. However, this order has now been dismissed as fraudulent by the President of the All India Akhara Parishad, Ravindra Puri.
Ravindra Puri Commends Government Efforts
Ravindra Puri praised the arrangements made by the government for the Mahakumbh and asserted that Swami Avimukteshwarananda’s appointment as Shankaracharya was illegitimate. He called for a high-level investigation into the matter, questioning the authenticity of the claims made by Avimukteshwarananda.
Support for CM Yogi and His Role in Protecting Sanatan Dharma
During a gathering at Niranjani Akhara on Thursday, Ravindra Puri emphasized that CM Yogi has become a symbol of Sanatan Dharma’s protection and dedicated service to saints. He described the stampede as an unfortunate incident rather than a failure of governance and questioned Avimukteshwarananda’s authority to issue a directive demanding Yogi’s resignation.
Controversy Over Avimukteshwarananda’s Shankaracharya Title
Ravindra Puri, along with several other saints, alleged that Avimukteshwarananda had proclaimed himself Shankaracharya based on a fraudulent will attributed to his guru. He further stated that Avimukteshwarananda had performed his coronation even before his guru’s passing, which was against legal and religious protocols. Puri urged a thorough investigation into the matter and reaffirmed that the saints from all 13 Akharas stood in support of CM Yogi.
Political Turmoil and Call for Responsibility
Swami Avimukteshwarananda had earlier made serious accusations against CM Yogi, urging his removal from the BJP and the appointment of a new Chief Minister. In response, Ravindra Puri criticized the political exploitation of the stampede tragedy. He commended the administration’s handling of the situation and urged devotees to follow official guidelines. Puri also advised political leaders to refrain from making irresponsible statements about the incident.
Swami Avimukteshwarananda’s Allegations Against CM Yogi
At the Paramdharma Sansad in Prayagraj, Swami Avimukteshwarananda accused CM Yogi of misleading the public and betraying the saint community. He expressed deep disappointment over the lack of transparency following the stampede, arguing that the government failed to acknowledge the severity of the incident promptly. He also lamented the fact that saints were not given an opportunity to perform rituals for the deceased souls.
Demand for Leadership Change
Swami Avimukteshwarananda called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda to immediately remove Yogi Adityanath and appoint a more capable leader. He warned that with millions more devotees expected to arrive at the Mahakumbh, the current leadership was incapable of managing the crowd effectively and would likely continue concealing critical information.
Conclusion
The ongoing controversy between religious leaders has sparked a major debate within the Hindu religious community and political circles. While Swami Avimukteshwarananda demands accountability for the Mahakumbh tragedy, the Akhara Parishad and other religious authorities continue to back CM Yogi. The situation remains tense, with calls for further investigation into Avimukteshwarananda’s legitimacy and the authenticity of his claims.