Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made sharp remarks in the State Assembly on law and order, religious traditions, and the Opposition’s stance.
Referring to the recent incident during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, he asserted that not everyone can be a Shankaracharya and that no one is above the law.
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Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the traditions of the four Peeths and the decorum of the Vedas, as established by Adi Shankaracharya, must be upheld. He stressed that any violation of these established norms would not be tolerated.
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Chief Minister Yogi further stated that maintaining order and security during religious gatherings is paramount. No responsible individual, he said, should engage in any act that could trigger a stampede, especially when devotees are moving after taking a holy dip.
“The lives of devotees cannot be put at risk,” he asserted, reiterating that the government knows how to act firmly and enforce the law when necessary.
He also accused the Opposition of vitiating the atmosphere and misleading the public. He maintained that when the government attempts to implement a transparent system, it should not face unnecessary obstruction.
Taking aim at the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister questioned why he was mistreated in Varanasi during the previous regime when he was referred to as a Shankaracharya.
The controversy stems from an incident during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who was proceeding to take a holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, was stopped from doing so on a palanquin.
Following this, his supporters staged a protest, which led to a scuffle with police personnel. The confrontation, marked by jostling and commotion, reportedly continued for nearly three hours along the banks of the Sangam. Despite the prolonged protest, the police administration did not relent, and the seer eventually returned without taking the dip.
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