The Magh Mela Authority has issued a notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand, seeking an explanation for his continued use of the title “Shankaracharya” despite a Supreme Court stay order. The notice was issued after his procession was halted during the Mauni Amavasya bathing festival. The authority stated that a civil appeal related to the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court and no final order has been passed. Until then, no religious leader can be consecrated as the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth. However, the authority noted that Swami Avimukteshwaranand has displayed the title “Shankaracharya” before his name on the board outside his camp at the Mela site.
Ordered To Rectify Within 24 hours
The Magh Mela Authority has directed him to remove the title within 24 hours and submit an explanation for doing so.
The dispute intensified after Jagadguru Swami Avimukteshwaranand was stopped from proceeding to the Sangam for the Mauni Amavasya holy bath during the Magh Mela. Alleging misbehavior by the police towards his disciples, the Swami staged a protest against the Mela administration.
Following Sunday’s incident, in which he was prevented from taking the holy dip during the Mauni Amavasya Mahaparva, Swami Avimukteshwaranand addressed the media on Monday afternoon. Senior police and administrative officials later presented their version of events.
Objection limited To wheeled palanquin
Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal clarified that the Swami was not stopped from bathing but was requested not to proceed on a wheeled palanquin. She said the objection was only to the use of the palanquin due to the heavy crowd at the Sangam, which posed a risk of a stampede or other untoward incidents.
On Sunday, during the main bathing ritual of Mauni Amavasya at the Magh Mela, police stopped Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s procession as he was being taken from his camp to the Sangam on a wheeled palanquin along with his disciples. This led to a clash with his followers. Several disciples were detained, and allegations of mistreatment and assault were also raised.
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Angered by the police action, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati staged a sit-in protest outside the gate of his camp on Triveni Marg. His disciples allegedly broke through barricades, following which police detained several people, including his disciple Pratyakshachaitanya Mukundanand Giri.