Akhara Parishad sets conditions for Shankaracharya post:Says, ‘13 Akharas must offer consent,’ voices concern over supporter-police clash at Magh Mela

A clash between supporters of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the police during the Mauni Amavasya bath at the Prayagraj Magh Mela has created a clear division within the saint community. For the first time after the incident, a reaction has come from Ujjain. Mahant Harigiri Maharaj, General Secretary of the All India Akhara Parishad, called the incident serious and raised questions about the position of Shankaracharya and the long-followed Akhara traditions. Speaking on the status of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Harigiri Maharaj said that the Akhara Parishad has not yet given him the ‘Chadar’, which is a traditional honour linked to the Shankaracharya position. He explained that, as per tradition, all 13 Akharas together give the ‘Chadar’ at the same time. He said only when society and all Akharas give this honour is a person fully accepted as the Shankaracharya by the entire community. Conflict does not increase anyone’s respect
Harigiri Maharaj said that the incident at Magh Mela is extremely sad and concerning. Such incidents should not be repeated. This entire matter is subject to investigation. He clearly stated that conflict does not increase anyone’s respect, neither that of saints nor of the administration. It should be noted that after this incident, saints and seers in Prayagraj are continuously staging protests and demonstrations in support of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, due to which the atmosphere of Magh Mela remains tense. Said Officers understand the sanctity of religion and Prayagraj
The General Secretary gave a clean chit to the Mela administration in this matter, stating that the Vikas Pradhikaran (Development Authority) chairman and other officers deployed in the fair are all devotees of Narayan and Triveni. They understand the sanctity of religion and Prayagraj. He also said that High Court guidelines regarding bathing at VIP ghats are already in place, so avoiding controversy was the best course of action. Harigiri Maharaj said that he is deeply saddened that the dignity of a holy pilgrimage site like Prayagraj has been hurt. Where the mistake occurred should be seriously examined so that such a situation does not arise again in the future. Avimukteshwaranand had said – Shankaracharya himself decides the next Shankaracharya
Earlier, on Monday in Prayagraj, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand had said that a Shankaracharya is one whom the other 3 Peeths call Shankaracharya. 2 Peeths call us Shankaracharya. They have already bathed with us in the last Magh Mela. Now what proof do you need? Will this administration decide whether we are Shankaracharya or not? Even the President of India does not have the authority to decide who will be Shankaracharya. The Shankaracharya’s decision will be made by Shankaracharya. The Shankaracharya of Puri has said nothing about us. He is silent. We are the undisputed Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth. These are also the four reasons for the controversy over Shankaracharya