Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke in detail in the Assembly for the first time on the controversy related to Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda. Speaking in the House on Friday (February 13), he gave a clear message regarding tradition, decorum and law and order.

CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya has made it mandatory. The mantra of the eligible person for the Peeth, his commentary, in today’s language you can say thesis, is approved by the scholar council. After that, he is ordained and then he is recognized by that tradition. Not every person can become Shankaracharya. Not every person can spoil the environment here and there by going as the Acharya of every Peeth. Everyone will have to follow those dignity.”

Questions raised on Varanasi lathi charge

Taking a dig at the opposition, the Chief Minister said, “If he was Shankaracharya, then why did you lathicharge in Varanasi? Why did you file an FIR? You talk about morality!”

Safety of devotees given priority

The CM said, “Where 4.5 crore devotees have come, there is an exit gate from where the devotees come out after taking bath. No one can be allowed to go inside through that gate, that pontoon, that route. Because if anyone tries to go inside from there, it gives birth to a new stampede, a new stampede situation. He plays with the lives of the devotees.”

He said in a stern tone, “A responsible and dignified person can never behave like this. Can never do. If you want to ask then the people of the House should ask. But we are dignified people. We believe in the rule of law. We know how to follow the rule of law and also know how to get it followed. We know how to implement both the things together but stop misleading people in the name of it.”

After this statement given in the House, there are indications of further heating up of politics over the Shankaracharya controversy. Political rhetoric on this issue may intensify in the coming days.