Prayagraj: In a show of solidarity amid the ongoing controversy at the Prayagraj Magh Mela, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav held a phone conversation with Jyotirpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Sunday.
The call came hours after the Shankaracharya was reportedly stopped by police from proceeding to the Sangam for the sacred Mauni Amavasya holy dip, leading to a scuffle involving his followers and forcing him to return without bathing. The seer has since launched a protest, including a hunger strike and dharna, claiming that devotees’ traditional rights to bathe in the Ganga and Yamuna were being denied.
During the discussion, Akhilesh Yadav expressed strong support for the Shankaracharya, assuring him of standing firmly by his side. He promised to meet the seer soon to discuss the matter further. The SP chief has been vocal about criticising the state government, describing the alleged mistreatment of saints and devotees as “unpardonable” and blaming misgovernance for disrupting age-old Sanatani traditions, including the Shahi Snan.
The incident, which drew widespread attention during the massive Mauni Amavasya bathing event that saw over 4.52 crore devotees at the Sangam, has sparked a political storm in Uttar Pradesh. Opposition leaders, including Congress figures, have also demanded probes into the episode.
This outreach underscores Akhilesh Yadav’s efforts to connect with religious leaders and highlight grievances related to the Magh Mela arrangements under the current administration.