Saffron vs Saffron: Seers, Snan and A Political Storm In UP

A massive face-off is brewing in Uttar Pradesh ahead of next year's elections, with saffron on both sides and seers at the centre of the battle. What began as a skirmish between the Prayagraj administration and Swami Avimukteshwaranand during the Magh Mela snan has now escalated into a full-fledged political war over alleged insult to the Hindu faith. The Congress and Samajwadi Party are leading the charge, accusing the UP Chief Minister of endorsing the disrespect shown to a Shankaracharya and claiming that the BJP and Yogi Adityanath are enemies of the Hindu faith. The controversy began on Sunday during the auspicious Mauni Amavasya, when Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his supporters were stopped by police en route to the Sangam. Citing crowd control rules, the police asked him to leave his palanquin and proceed on foot like other seers. He refused, leading to a scuffle between police and his followers. The Shankaracharya has since termed the incident a personal affront, with his supporters alleging they were beaten, dragged and insulted.