Controversy erupts over Kinnar Shankaracharya:Sant Committee gives 11-day ultimatum, says, ‘Meddling with Sanatan tradition won’t be tolerated’

The controversy continues to brew after Himangi Sakhi was declared Kinnar Shankaracharya at the Kinnar Religious Conference held in Bhopal on Mahashivratri. At the conference, it was announced that a new Kinnar Shankaracharya seat would be established in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Additionally, four Jagadgurus and five Mahamandaleswaras were also declared. ‘Criminal case including Section 420 will be filed’ Now the saint community has openly come out against this entire sequence of events. Swami Anilanand, the State Executive President of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti Madhya Pradesh, has given an 11-day ultimatum to the concerned party, stating that if the declared positions are not revoked, a criminal case including Section 420 will be filed. In conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Swami Anilanand called this declaration a tampering with Sanatan tradition. He said that declaring Shankaracharya, Jagadguru and Mahamandaleshwar without any authorized religious process is a serious matter. It should be noted that on February 15, Swami Anilanand had complained about this matter to the Police Commissioner. Who are you? By what authority are you giving positions? Swami Anilanand said, “We ask who are you? With what authority are you appointing Mahants, Mahamandaleswaras and Shankaracharyas? There is a proper procedure to make someone a saint. This is not a stage program where you can give positions to anyone. He said, “The position of Shankaracharya is the highest spiritual position in the Sanatan tradition. Its appointment happens through a religious process, which includes deep knowledge of Vedas-Vedanta, Dandi Sanyasi tradition and recognition from Akhadas.” Refute within 11 days, no clarification needed Swami Anilanand clarified that a time limit of 11 days has been given in the complaint. We don’t want any clarification. Clarification is sought when a mistake is made. Here the entire work is wrong. Therefore, the declared positions should be immediately revoked and cancelled. He said that if action is not taken within the time limit, they will file an FIR under section 420 and other criminal sections. When there is no provision in any constitution or valid religious structure, yet positions are declared, it falls under the category of fraud. Only four seats are valid, not the fifth Swami Anilanand cited tradition and said that only four main seats are recognized, which were established by Adi Shankaracharya, including Jyotirmath, Shringeri Sharda Peeth, Govardhan Math and Dwarka Sharda Peeth. He said, “When there are four seats in tradition, how can there be a fifth Shankaracharya? Are other Shankaracharyas seated at other peeths? Was permission taken from Akhada Parishad and Kashi Vidwat Parishad?” Claims of discord in Kinnar community Swami Anilanand claimed that the Kinnar community is divided into two factions. He claims that the faction associated with Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi is opposing this announcement. He said that Kinnar Akhada, which is affiliated with Juna Akhada, is not involved in the announcement of any new Shankaracharya. If someone is making claims by associating themselves with the Akhada, they should first show permission from the Akhada Parishad. Different stance on Suraiya Nayak Swami Anilanand, while mentioning Suraiya Nayak’s name, said that they respect her. She was made Mahamandaleshwar through proper procedure. He said, “The Kinnar community is a section that prays for the upliftment of humanity. It is not appropriate to bind them within the boundaries of any one sect. He also said that if someone’s anointment has been done by an authorized akhada then it is valid, but self-proclaimed declarations are not acceptable. Disagreement on statement On Himangi Sakhi’s statement where she said “Those who don’t believe in Sanatan should go to Pakistan”, Swami Anilanand said that such statements are not in accordance with the dignity of Sanatan. He said – First follow tradition and process, then talk about religion. Who is Himangi Sakhi? Himangi Sakhi is the head of Maa Vaishnav Kinnar Akhada and is known as a religious leader in the transgender community. She has previously held the positions of Mahamandaleshwar and Jagadguru. Now she has been given the title of Shankaracharya. Her first seat will be established in Pushkar. She said that seats will be established at different places across the country in future. As Shankaracharya, she will form a team for matters related to the transgender community. Religious scholar objects, says only 4 seats recognized in Sanatan tradition Pandit Vinod Gautam, associated with Jyotish Math Institution, has raised an objection regarding the Kinnar Shankaracharya Peeth announced in Bhopal. He says that in Sanatan tradition, there is provision for only four main seats. The recognition of Shankaracharya position is determined according to that only. In such a situation, questions arise about the recognition of new seats or fifth Shankaracharya. Pandit Gautam said that the appointment to Shankaracharya position happens through a specific religious process, which includes knowledge of Vedas-Vedanta, following Sanyasa tradition and Dandi tradition. He said that it is necessary to maintain the dignity and prestige of this position.