Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav escalated his criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday, alleging that its governance has undermined Sanatan traditions after Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati departed the Magh Mela in Prayagraj without taking a holy dip at the Sangam.Addressing party workers and speaking to reporters, Yadav framed the episode as emblematic of what he described as a widening gap between official claims of cultural stewardship and the lived experience of religious leaders and devotees. He said the decision of the Shankaracharya to leave the fair without participating in the ritual bath carried symbolic weight, suggesting discomfort with the prevailing arrangements and priorities at one of Hinduism’s most significant congregations.
Yadav says faith traditions face political strain as he argued that religious gatherings should be guided by spiritual custom rather than administrative or political calculation. The Samajwadi Party leader asserted that Sanatan practices have historically thrived on inclusivity and restraint, and that any perception of interference risks eroding trust among ascetics and pilgrims alike. He accused the BJP of projecting reverence for faith while failing to ensure an environment conducive to spiritual observance.
The Magh Mela, held annually on the banks of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, draws large numbers of saints, seers and pilgrims, with ritual bathing at the Sangam regarded as central to the event. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, a prominent seer associated with the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya peeth, is known for outspoken positions on religious and social issues. His departure without a dip prompted questions across political and religious circles, intensifying scrutiny of how the mela was organised.
Yadav contended that the incident could not be dismissed as a personal choice devoid of context. He said the absence of a ritual bath by a senior Shankaracharya at such a gathering sent a message that warranted reflection by those in power. Without naming officials, he suggested that the scale and security-driven management of the fair may have overshadowed the needs of religious figures, creating friction between tradition and administration.
The BJP rejected the आरोप, maintaining that the Magh Mela had been conducted with due respect for customs and with extensive facilities for saints and pilgrims. Party functionaries said participation in rituals remains a matter of personal conviction and schedule, and cautioned against politicising individual decisions. They added that the government had invested heavily in infrastructure, sanitation and crowd management to facilitate smooth observance of rites.
Within religious circles, responses were measured. Several seers noted that Shankaracharyas often follow personal vows and spiritual calculations in deciding whether to take ritual baths, and that departures from the norm are not unprecedented. Others acknowledged that the heightened visibility of religious events under intense public and political attention can amplify interpretations of even routine choices.
Political analysts observed that Yadav’s remarks fit into a broader strategy of positioning his party as a defender of plural religious practice in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the run-up to electoral contests. By linking a high-profile religious figure’s actions to governance, the Samajwadi Party leader sought to challenge the BJP’s narrative of cultural guardianship, appealing to voters who value religious autonomy alongside administrative competence.