Overview
- He departed Prayagraj without taking the Sangam dip and traveled to Kashi, saying he was too distressed to perform the ritual.
- He turned down a late offer for a ceremonially escorted bath because it did not include an apology for the January 18 stoppage.
- His team says it is preparing a criminal complaint under Section 156(3) over alleged assaults on disciples, with officers to be named and video evidence cited.
- Mela officials defend the stoppage as crowd control and have issued notices challenging his conduct and use of the Shankaracharya title, citing a 2022 Supreme Court order.
- The clash has expanded into politics, with opposition protests and signs of unease within the BJP, as he continues sharp criticism from Varanasi including attacks on new UGC rules.