Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav travelled to meet Jyotirmath's Shankaracharya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, on Thursday. During the meeting he touched the seer's feet to seek his blessings and described himself as a true follower of Sanatan tradition, calling cow protection an essential part of Indian culture.
Akhilesh seen seated at the Shankaracharya's feet
During the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav was seen seated close to Swami Avimukteshwaranand's feet. This gesture pleased Avimukteshwaranand greatly, and he blessed Akhilesh in response. Speaking after the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav said the Shankaracharya is deeply worried about the condition of cows. He said, "Cow protection is not merely a political slogan, it is an important aspect of Indian culture and Sanatan traditions, and serious efforts must be made in this direction."
Akhilesh promises to prioritise cow protection
Akhilesh Yadav promised Swami Avimukteshwaranand that cow protection would be a priority whenever his government comes to power. The former chief minister also said that the BJP's professed love for Hindutva is merely for show, while the real followers of Sanatan tradition are the Samajwadis. Avimukteshwaranand, for his part, said that once the government changes in Uttar Pradesh, everyone will be held accountable. Referring to what he called a sin committed at the Ram Mandir, he said a thorough investigation into the theft of offerings would be carried out once the government in Uttar Pradesh changes.
Shankaracharya has been vocal against Yogi Adityanath
Swami Avimukteshwaranand has, in recent times, repeatedly spoken out against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is also running a campaign demanding that the cow be declared the nation's mother. The growing closeness between Akhilesh Yadav and Avimukteshwaranand is being attributed largely to Yogi Adityanath, since the chief minister is seen as a political rival to both of them.
Akhilesh also targets government over Ram Mandir donation theft
Separately, Akhilesh Yadav also took aim at the government over the Ram Mandir donation theft case. He questioned what good would come from taking action only against small, low-level people, arguing that the entire trust under whose supervision the theft occurred should be dissolved. Akhilesh Yadav laid out his position in a detailed post on social media, writing that punishment for the theft should not fall only on the horse or the reins, but on the coachman as well. He said that mere resignations amount to a cover-up and will not suffice, and that a judicial inquiry is also needed into land deals signed off by officials who have since been removed from their posts.
He further alleged that the ruling party keeps shifting its stance on religious issues depending on political convenience. Akhilesh Yadav also said that followers of Sanatan Dharma across the world are concerned about the way Lord Ram and religious sentiment in Ayodhya are being linked to political interests.
