Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of the Jyotish Peeth. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The clash over the alleged mistreatment of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati intensified on Thursday (January 22, 2026) after the Prayagraj mela authorities served another notice to the religious leader accusing him of disturbing the peace and provoking law-and-order problems. They threatened to cancel the seer’s land allotment and permanently bar him from participating in the religious fair.
The row between the mela authorities and the Swami started on January 18, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, when he allegedly tried to reach Sangam for bathing, using his chariot without permission. The seer claimed that his followers had been mistreated.
The blame game escalated over the last week with political parties and religious leaders coming out in open support of Swami Avimukteshwaranand.
Possible stampede
In a notice issued on January 18, which the seer said he received on Thursday (January 22, 2026) he was accused of breaking a barrier on a bridge over the river. The authorities also accused him of trying to forcibly enter a crowded area with a chariot, allegedly creating a stampede-like situation.
“…. you created a situation of conflict and possibility of a stampede which could have resulted in significant loss of life,” the notice reads.
It added that his actions had disrupted the arrangements for the Magh Mela on Mauni Amavasya, and posed a serious threat to the safety of those attending the mela.
The seer has been asked to reply in 24 hours why the land and facilities provided to his organisation should not be revoked and why he should not be permanently barred from the mela.
‘Misuse of power’
In response, the Swami said that he had not broken any rule and was not using any chariot at the venue. He explained that it was the police that had opened the bridge for him and also alleged that the police and the administration are misusing their powers to frame him in a wrong case.
“The followers of Shankaracharya, all saints and religious preachers, were thrashed by pulling their hair. Policemen in plain clothes, carrying small arms, dragged his palanquin, treated him like a criminal. He was left on a slope, causing his palanquin to slide into the river ravine and hence attempting to harm and murder him,” alleged a reply by the seer’s office.
In another notice issued on January 19, the seer had been asked why he continued to use the title of ‘Shankaracharya’, despite the Supreme Court’s prohibition.
Political response
With both the Samajwadi Party and the Congress coming out in support of the protesting seer and accusing the ruling BJP of being a fake protector of sanatan dharma, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday urged the seer to end his protest and participate in the mela.
“No one has the right to disrespect a Shankaracharya. If anyone has done so, we will conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, at a public event in Sonipath, warned people to beware of the “Kalnemi” forces threatening sanatan dharma.
Kalnemi, a demon in Hindu mythology, was known to mislead people by disguising himself as a saint. “There will be many such Kālnemis who, under the guise of religion, must be plotting to weaken Sanatan Dharma. We must remain cautious of them, he said.
Published – January 22, 2026 09:54 pm IST
