Overview
- At his Lucknow residence Thursday, Brajesh Pathak welcomed over 100 batuks, applied tilak, and showered petals in a public show of reverence.
- Pathak called the pulling of batuks’ choti during the Prayagraj Magh Mela a grave sin and urged strict action against those responsible.
- Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand said both UP deputy chief ministers respect saints and batuks, then warned sadhus would march to Lucknow if his 40-day demand on the cow’s status is ignored.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier told the assembly that no one is above the law and questioned indiscriminate use of the Shankaracharya title.
- Political observers read Pathak’s outreach as targeted Brahmin outreach ahead of 2027, and ThePrint reported Pathak and Keshav Maurya met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Lucknow the same day.