Deputy CM Appeals to Shankaracharya Amidst Mauni Amavasya Controversy

• A political controversy has erupted around the Magh Mela 2026 in Prayagraj concerning an incident involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand on Mauni Amavasya.
• Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya appealed to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand to conclude the matter peacefully.
• The Mela Authority has issued two notices to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who has responded but refuses to back down, challenging the administration.
• Shankaracharya defended his decision not to dismount from the palanquin, asserting the dignity and protocol associated with his position as a guru of Sanatan Dharma.
• CM Yogi's statement about 'Kalnemis' harming Sanatan Dharma is being linked to the Shankaracharya, drawing criticism from opposition leaders like Priyanka Chaturvedi.

Why It Matters: A dispute between Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand and Mela Authority escalates, drawing political attention.