Controversy erupts in U.P. over notice to religious leader over use of ‘Shankaracharya’ title

Days after the Prayagraj Mela Authority served a notice on Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, head of the Jyotish Peeth of Badrinath, regarding the use of the ‘Shankaracharya’ title, the religious leader sent an eight-page reply to the authorities on Wednesday (January 21, 2026), demanding that they withdraw the notice or face legal action.

The tug of war between the authorities and Mr. Saraswati started during the Magh Mela, an annual month-long religious fair in which devotees assemble at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, for a holy dip. The mela authority is the agency that manages the fair’s administration.

On January 18, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, the religious leader allegedly attempted to reach the Sangam in his chariot for bathing. The mela administration claimed that VIP movement was not allowed on that day due to the swelling crowd at the ghats as it was a special bathing day. After heated arguments with the police, Mr. Saraswati staged a protest and demanded an apology for the mistreatment he had experienced. He also alleged that police had thrashed many of his followers who were just following the chariot of their mentor.

Shortly after Mr. Saraswati staged a protest, terming the act of the police an “insult of Shankaracharya”, one of the highest title given to a seer, the Mela administration issued a notice questioning him for using the title, even though an appeal related to the same is sub judice in the Supreme Court.

Shankaracharya is a title that is given to the heads of four Hindu monasteries established by the 8th-century monk Adi Sankara.

In his response to the administration’s notice, Mr. Saraswati’s lawyer, Anjani Kumar Mishra, stated that the apex court had not bar his client from holding the title. He cited the previous orders of the top court and maintained that Mr. Saraswati was the “Shankaracharya” of the Jyotish Peeth of Badrinath. He also stated that the notice issued by the administration had caused serious financial, social, and reputational damages to Mr. Saraswati, affecting his dignity, honour, and financial affairs associated with religious observances. He demanded that the authorities withdraw the notice or face legal action.

Political war

Attacking the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for insulting the seer, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the ruling party’s love for Hinduism was fake, and now it had been established as a fact. He added that the Chief Minister must apologise to the seer.

“The Jagadguru holds a position even higher than the Vishwaguru Even the ruler of this world bows in reverence to them,” he said.

He added that if an officer were to ask a Shankaracharya for the “certificate of his title,” it would be the greatest insult to our Sanatana Dharma.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also condemned the alleged mistreatment of Mr. Saraswati and accused the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh of disrupting a centuries-old religious tradition by not allowing him to take the customary ‘royal bath’.

Religious community divided

While several religious leaders condemned the incident, Swami Rambhadracharya, who holds the title of Jagadguru, said that all religious leaders and seers walk to the Sangam on the main bathing days, such as Mauni Amavasya, so that devotees don’t face problems.

“No injustice has been done to him, rather he himself has violated the rules,” Swami Rambhadracharya said.

Swami Sadanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Sharada Peeth, condemned the mistreatment of the seer. He said it was unfortunate that monks and seers were beaten by the police.

Swami Avimukteshwarananad Saraswati has been critical of the BJP government, both in the State and at the Centre. He had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating the Ram Temple “before it was completely built”.