3 Shankaracharyas back Avimukteshwaranand:Sharda Peeth seer condemns assault on Brahmin children

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati Maharaj of Dwarka Sharda Peeth arrived in Jabalpur on January 25 to take part in programmes organised on the occasion of Narmada Jayanti. During his visit, he spoke to Dainik Bhaskar and shared his views on the ongoing controversy involving Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand in Prayagraj. The Shankaracharya strongly criticised the Prayagraj administration, saying it had no authority to question the religious status of a Shankaracharya. He also condemned the alleged use of force against Brahmins during the protest, calling it unacceptable. Below are key excerpts from the interaction… How do you feel about coming to Jabalpur on Narmada Prakatyotsav? Quoting a Sanskrit verse, Swami Sadanand Saraswati said that bathing in the Yamuna seven times brings welfare, bathing once in the Ganga brings welfare, and merely having the darshan of the Narmada brings welfare to a person.“I feel blessed to be here. The programmes were organised very well and everything went smoothly,” he said. Has the Prayagraj administration asked Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand for proof of his position? The administration has no right to ask a Shankaracharya for proof, he said.“Only a disciple of a Shankaracharya can become a Shankaracharya. Our Guru gave sannyasa to only two people — myself and Avimukteshwaranand Ji Saraswati. He was consecrated by the Shankaracharya of Sringeri. This follows the established tradition. No external authority can interfere in this process,” he said. The administration has reportedly issued notices twice. What is your view? He said it was not the administration’s role to decide who is a Shankaracharya and who is not.“If they take up this role, then all those whom they themselves have recognised or given space to at religious gatherings should also be questioned. Titles like Jagadguru and Shankaracharya are being given arbitrarily, which reduces the importance of genuine Shankaracharyas. This practice must stop,” he said. Seven days have passed since the controversy began, and the Shankaracharya is still protesting. What should happen next? The administration made a serious mistake, he said, adding that the alleged beating of children was condemnable.“They should apologise. That alone will resolve the matter. The role of a ruler is to serve the people and uphold righteousness. If those in power follow dharma, society will also follow the right path,” he said. Despite Uttar Pradesh having a religious Chief Minister, why has this situation arisen? Rambhadracharya has called it a conflict among saints. Responding to Rambhadracharya’s remarks, Swami Sadanand Saraswati said there was no need to make personal allegations.“The core issue is that no administration has the right to restrict religious practices or alter long-standing traditions. Only a Shankaracharya’s disciple can become a Shankaracharya. If support from other Shankaracharyas is required, Avimukteshwaranand has the backing of all three,” he said. He added that the violence against children should never have occurred.“With such a large police force, they could have escorted the children back to their camp or taken them into custody. Beating them so badly is unimaginable,” he said. The State government claims to prioritise religion. Why, then, has this controversy escalated? Swami Sadanand Saraswati said history shows that injustice against Brahmins has never ended well.“Politics has entered the issue. If the administration had apologised at the right time, political elements would not have found an opportunity,” he said. The Shankaracharya received a grand welcome in Jabalpur, where a procession was also taken out to mark his arrival.