Overview
- After leaving the Magh Mela without a dip on January 28, the seer demanded the cow be declared “Rajya Mata” and beef exports from Uttar Pradesh be halted, warning of a Sant Sammelan in Lucknow on March 10–11.
- The Prayagraj administration earlier asked him to justify using the Shankaracharya title, citing a Supreme Court matter on Jyotish Peeth consecrations.
- Reports say officials are willing to apologise, restore ceremonial protocol and facilitate a Magh Purnima bath, while the seer insists on a written apology and an SOP for all four Shankaracharyas.
- A petition before the Allahabad High Court seeks a CBI probe into the January 18 episode, suspensions of senior officials and registration of an FIR, including claims of custodial assault on juvenile batuks.
- UP minister Dharmpal Singh countered that cow slaughter is banned in the state and exports are of buffalo meat, and he said the government does not recognise Avimukteshwaranand as a Shankaracharya.