Key Points:
- Legal notice cites Allahabad High Court orders, questions validity of Shankaracharya title usage
- Avimukteshwaranand given 24 hours to present his side
- Protest enters third day after Mauni Amavasya confrontation with police
- Administration claims action was for crowd safety, not insult
- Shankaracharya alleges deliberate humiliation of saints and political targeting
- Opposition leaders criticize BJP government’s handling of religious leaders
The Dispute That Erupted at the Magh Mela on the Sands of the Sangam Has Now Taken a Legal and Administrative Turn. Following the commotion on Mauni Amavasya, the Mela authorities have issued a stern notice to Avimukteshwaranand, who has been staging a protest. The notice cites previous orders of the Allahabad High Court and questions the validity of his use of the title “Shankaracharya.”
The Prayagraj Magh Mela administration has sent a formal notice to Swami Avimukteshwaranand, seeking clarification. The most prominent question in the notice concerns his title. The administration has asked how he is presenting himself as the “Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth,” when the matter is still pending before the Honourable High Court. The authorities have given Avimukteshwaranand only 24 hours to present his side of the story. This step was taken after Avimukteshwaranand launched a protest against the administration on the day of Mauni Amavasya, and has been sitting in protest outside his camp.
Reference to Allahabad High Court Order
The legal basis of the notice rests on a previous order of the Allahabad High Court. The administration has clarified in the notice that until the High Court passes any interim or final order regarding the consecration of Jyotishpeeth, no religious leader can officially declare himself or be consecrated as the Shankaracharya of this seat. Currently, this position is embroiled in legal disputes, and the administration argues that using this prestigious title while the matter is sub judice may be against the rules.
The Mauni Amavasya Confrontation
The controversy erupted on January 17, 2026, when Swami Avimukteshwaranand arrived at the Sangam in a decorated palanquin with approximately 200 followers for the auspicious Mauni Amavasya bath. Police personnel stopped the procession citing extreme crowd density and safety concerns, as over 4.52 crore devotees were present. CCTV footage reportedly shows arguments between his supporters and police, with allegations of barricades being broken. The administration claims he moved without permission, causing a three-hour disruption, while his disciples allege manhandling by police and Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Mohit Gupta.
Avimukteshwaranand Adamant on Apology and Permission for Bathing
Swami Avimukteshwaranand says that the administration’s behaviour was insulting. He has clearly demanded that he will not end his protest until the concerned officials come and apologise to him, allowing him to take a respectful dip in the Sangam. He has announced that he will continue to sit outside his camp in this manner until the full moon of the Magh Mela. Moreover, he adopted a firm stance, stating that even in the future, when he visits Prayagraj, he will stay outside the camp and will not take a holy dip until he receives the respect he expects.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and AAP’s Sanjay Singh condemned the BJP government, calling it an assault on Sanatan traditions. Computer Baba and other saints have expressed support for Avimukteshwaranand. The Shankaracharya has linked the incident to his earlier criticism of the state government over stampede management and cow protection issues, alleging that saints who raise uncomfortable questions face selective targeting.
Administration’s Defense
Divisional Commissioner Saumya Agarwal and Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar maintain that the action was purely for crowd control and safety, not intended to insult any religious leader. They emphasise that no vehicle zone restrictions applied equally to everyone during peak bathing hours. The administration asserts that Avimukteshwaranand was not insulted but was stopped in accordance with standard protocols for managing millions of devotees.
Legal and Security Challenges
The Magh Mela in Prayagraj is currently at its peak. The fair will conclude with the final bath of the akhadas (religious orders) on Mahashivratri. Millions of devotees have already taken a dip of faith at this year’s fair, and lakhs of people are thronging the banks of the Sangam (confluence of rivers) every day. At such a time, this conflict between a prominent religious leader and the administration has become challenging from a security and law-and-order perspective. While millions of people are arriving with the hope of attaining salvation, this notice has sparked a new debate in religious and administrative circles.
Ongoing Standoff
As the protest continues into its third day, both sides remain firm in their positions. The administration awaits Avimukteshwaranand’s response to the legal notice within the stipulated 24 hours, while the Shankaracharya continues his dharna, performing his daily rituals at the protest site. The situation remains tense, with the potential to impact the remaining days of the Magh Mela and raise broader questions about the balance between religious traditions, legal procedures, and crowd management at major religious gatherings.
