Congress Slams UP Government Over Notice to Shankaracharya: "State Cannot Dictate Spiritual Authority"

The friction appears to stem from the Shankaracharya’s vocal criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, a move that Khera suggests triggered a retaliatory response from the state. Rather than seeking a diplomatic resolution to the impasse, the government issued a notice that reportedly challenged the seer's title—a move Khera described as the "pinnacle of arrogance." By questioning whether Swami Avimukteshwaranand qualifies as a Shankaracharya, the administration has waded into a complex theological and traditional territory that is typically governed by monastic lineage and ancient customs rather than administrative decree.

Drawing a sharp parallel to previous political controversies, Khera remarked that a party which once demanded documentation from the Muslim community is now forcing the foremost saints of Hinduism to "prove" their identities through paperwork. This shift, he argued, signals a dangerous precedent where bureaucratic machinery is used to undermine traditional religious hierarchies. The Congress leader questioned the authority of district or state officials to sit in judgment over the credentials of a Sant Shiromani, suggesting that such interference poses a grave threat to the country’s cultural fabric and long-standing systems of faith.

The incident has sparked a broader debate regarding the boundaries between state power and religious autonomy. As the Shankaracharya continues his hunger strike, the silence from the administration on the health of the seer and the specifics of the legal notice has only added to the tension. Critics argue that using administrative notices to settle ideological scores with religious heads could alienate the traditionalist base and disrupt the sanctity of events like the Kumbh. The unfolding situation remains a significant test for the Uttar Pradesh government, as it balances the enforcement of administrative protocols against the weight of deep-seated religious sentiments and the political fallout of a direct confrontation with the clergy.