look news india
Lucknow. These days a new debate has erupted in the corridors of politics and religion of Uttar Pradesh. The war of words between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Jyotish Peeth’s Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand has now reached personal and constitutional questions. The controversy deepened when after the Chief Minister’s remarks in the State Assembly, the saint raised questions on his being a ‘Yogi’.
Yogi’s attack in the Assembly: “Shankaracharya is not above the law”
Speaking in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in clear words that the post of ‘Shankaracharya’ is extremely dignified and respectable, but it should not be misused. He said, “Not everyone can add Shankaracharya before their name. At the same time, it should also be remembered that even Shankaracharya is not above the law.” This statement of the Chief Minister is being seen in the context of the incidents and statements that took place during the Magh Mela recently.
Swami Avimukteshwarananda’s counterattack: “If you are a Yogi then why are you in power?”
Responding to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Swami Avimukteshwaranand launched a scathing attack on Saturday. Questioning the word ‘Yogi’ prefixed to the name of the Chief Minister, he said that the person who actually becomes a ‘Yogi’ should have nothing to do with the material world and the rights of power.
The saint further said:
“Shankaracharyas do not need a certificate from any politician. If the law is equal for all, then how were the criminal cases registered against the Chief Minister withdrawn after coming to power?”
Root of controversy: That incident of Magh Mela
This tension started during the Magh Mela last month. There has been tension between the saint and the government since Swami Avimukteshwarananda was stopped by the police while going for a holy bath on Mauni Amavasya and the alleged misbehavior with his disciples. Swami Avimukteshwarananda had even said that Adityanath should prove that he is a ‘Hindu’.
Political turmoil: Akhilesh Yadav asked- “Who gave permission to become Yogi?”
In this battle of power and religion, opposition party Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav was also not left behind. Taking aim at the Chief Minister, Akhilesh said, “One does not become a yogi just by wearing saffron clothes and getting the ears pierced.” He also raised the question as to who has given Adityanath the right to write ‘Yogi’ in front of his name.