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The Prayagraj Magh Mela administration has issued a notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand over his Shankaracharya claim, citing a Supreme Court order. The move has sparked protests and political reactions, including strong criticism from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Notice Issued Over ‘Shankaracharya’ Title
Prayagraj: The Magh Mela administration in Prayagraj has issued a formal notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, asking him to explain why he is presenting himself as the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth.
The notice, served on Monday, cites a Supreme Court order that prohibits the appointment or recognition of any Shankaracharya for Jyotishpeeth until a related appeal is finally decided. According to the administration, the use of the title at the religious gathering could create confusion among devotees and violate the court’s directive.
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The notice followed a protest staged by Swami Avimukteshwaranand during the Magh Mela. He had reportedly sat outside his camp after claiming that police personnel stopped him while he was on his way to the Sangam for a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. The incident drew attention at the mela, prompting authorities to take note of his activities and public representation.
Magh Mela authorities have issued a notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand over his claim of being a Shankaracharya.
Officials have sought clarification, saying the matter could create confusion among devotees during the ongoing religious event.#Prayagraj #MaghMela… pic.twitter.com/LTZCfmmqPW
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) January 21, 2026
Responding strongly to the notice, Swami Avimukteshwaranand questioned the conduct and consistency of the Magh Mela administration. He alleged selective action by authorities, pointing out that two Shankaracharyas from Puri were allowed to set up camps at the mela without facing any objections. According to him, this raised serious questions about fairness and equal application of rules.
He further highlighted that near the camp of the Shankaracharya of Puri, there was a board announcing the presence of another individual claiming to be a Puri Shankaracharya, Adhokshajanand Dev Tirth Maharaj of Govardhan Peeth. Swami Avimukteshwaranand questioned how two individuals could simultaneously hold the same religious title from the same peeth, asking why the administration had not taken notice of this apparent contradiction.
The issue soon took a political turn, with Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav criticising the state government’s action. Yadav reportedly spoke to Swami Avimukteshwaranand over the phone to express his support and publicly condemned the move.
In a strongly worded post on X, Akhilesh Yadav described the action as “utterly reprehensible” and accused the BJP-led government of acting with arrogance and divisive intent.
He alleged that those in power demanded credentials from others while failing to justify their own actions. Drawing a sharp analogy, Yadav said that even the arrogance of mythological Ravana could not withstand justice, implying that the current display of authority would also fail.
The episode has brought renewed focus on the complex intersection of religious authority, legal restrictions, and administrative oversight. While the Magh Mela authorities maintain that they are bound by Supreme Court orders, critics argue that inconsistent enforcement risks politicising religious matters. As the controversy continues, the issue is likely to remain under close scrutiny from religious leaders, political parties, and devotees alike.
