New Delhi: Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the 46th head or “Shankaracharya” of the Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, who last year announced his decision to “excommunicate” Rahul Gandhi from Hinduism, received the Congress’s support Monday amid a controversy over the Uttar Pradesh police preventing him from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam (confluence) in Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya, an auspicious new moon day.
He was stopped by the police, reportedly because he was accompanied by a large group of followers, estimated at around 200–300, and did not have the necessary permission.
The Congress alleged that Yogi Adityanath government targeted the Hindu seer as he had, on several occasions, criticised decisions of the BJP, including the consecration ceremony of a “half-built” Ram Temple in Ayodhya, mismanagement of the Kumbh Mela, and bodies found floating in the Ganga during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Many thought they (the BJP) are only opposed to minorities. But look at the way they are dealing with the highest saint of the Hindu religion. For the first time, he could not take the holy dip. What took place yesterday did not happen even under the watch of the Mughals and the British. But the government that claims to be the messiah of Hindus has done this,” Congress leader Pawan Khera told a press conference.
Avimukteshwaranand was declared the monastery’s head in September 2022. In October 2022, the Supreme Court passed an interim order staying the coronation ceremony of Swami Avimukteshwaranand as Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath while hearing a petition challenging his appointment.
He has had a blow-hot, blow-cold relationship with the Congress due to his conflicting views on Rahul Gandhi—at times praising him, at others criticising him.
In June 2024, when the BJP targeted Rahul for allegedly calling Hindus “violent” in his first speech as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Avimukteshwaranand came out in the Congress leader’s defence, pointing out that Rahul’s remarks were being presented in a distorted manner.
“We listened attentively to Rahul Gandhi’s entire speech. He unequivocally emphasized that Hinduism rejects violence,” the pontiff told reporters then. A year later, however, he turned against Rahul, “excommunicating” him from Hinduism for “insulting” the ancient Sanskrit text of Manusmriti.
“He was also given a notice in this regard by the Shankaracharya Math, but he neither apologised for it nor gave any reply to the notice. That is why he has been formally excommunicated from Hinduism by the Shankaracharya Math,” the religious leader said in a statement on 6 May 2025.
As recently as 16 January, Avimukteshwaranand appealed to the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to “not allow” Rahul to visit the Ram Temple if the Congress leader planned a visit. “A person who abuses Hindus is not fit to go there,” Avimukteshwaranand reportedly said.
Over the years, Rahul has repeatedly accused the BJP-RSS of placing Manusmriti, a foundational yet controversial text outlining Hindu law and tradition, including the caste system, above the Constitution of India.
Following the pontiff’s remarks against Rahul, the Congress accused him of working at the behest of the BJP. With the Shankaracharya now warring against the BJP himself, the Congress wasted no time in coming to his defence, sensing an opportunity to deflate the BJP’s Hindutva pitch.
“Ye na kaam ke hai, na Ram ke hai (They are of no use—neither to anyone nor to Lord Ram). They are only after power and money. They need to be exposed. They give Mohan Bhagwat Z-plus security. Is Bhagwat bigger than the Shankaracharya? This is the work of the Asuras (demigods). Saints do not bow before kings; kings bow before saints. The prime minister should intervene against this shameful incident,” said Khera.
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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