Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand: "I could have been killed, dragged by topknot and beaten"

• Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth expressed anguish over the Mauni Amavasya commotion in Prayagraj, alleging he could have been killed.
• He clarified that his camp informed the administration three days prior about their bath program and denied needing permission to bathe in the Ganga, citing tradition for palanquin use.
• Swami Avimukteshwaranand accused fair administration officials of orchestrating stampedes, beating his disciples, and showing a blood-stained scarf as proof of assault.
• He criticized the administration for alleged misconduct, showing pictures of officials like Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agarwal, Home Secretary Mohit Gupta, Police Commissioner Joginder Kumar, DM Manish Kumar Verma, and CO Vineet Singh, accusing them of violence and lying.
• The Shankaracharya announced a large saint conference in Delhi on March 11 for cow protection, criticizing BJP governments for not protecting cows and calling Hindus 'cowards' for not defending their religion.

Why It Matters: Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand alleges assault and conspiracy by administration during Mauni Amavasya bath.