Intensifying his stand-off with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, ‘Shankaracharya’ Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has announced to launch ‘Gau Pratistha Dharmayuddh’ (crusade for protection of cow), from Varanasi to Lucknow, beginning this weekend.
The march follows what Mr. Saraswati described as government inaction on a 40-day ultimatum seeking stronger cow protection measures, including declaring the cow as ‘Rajya Mata’ (State Mother) and banning beef exports from the State.
The announcement comes days after Mr. Saraswati was booked by the Prayagraj police for molestation of two minors, aged 14 and 17. The FIR was registered on the direction of a special court.
The religious leader has termed the case “false” and “politically motivated,” alleging that it was initiated weeks after a confrontation with the district administration over alleged assaults on his followers during Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj Magh Mela on January 18.
The dispute between the two sides continued for weeks. The district administration issued two notices to the religious leader—the first seeking an explanation for his use of the ‘Shankaracharya’ title, the second accusing him of creating a “stampede-like situation” at the religious fair attended by millions of devotees. Mr. Adityanath also reacted to the issue and criticised Mr. Saraswati without naming him.
