Congress Demands Fair Investigation into Allegations Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Statewide Protests by Congress in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress party organized statewide protests on Wednesday, calling for an impartial and transparent investigation into the FIR filed against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who lodged complaints against him. In a statement released, the party indicated that a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was submitted through district magistrates across all districts of the state on February 25.
Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi informed a news agency that this memorandum was presented through district administrations in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Allegations of Police Misconduct
The memorandum accused the police of unnecessarily harassing and humiliating the Shankaracharya and his disciples during the Amavasya festival, preventing them from performing ritual baths. It alleged that some disciples were physically assaulted and taken to the police station.
Furthermore, the memorandum claimed that an FIR was later filed against the Shankaracharya, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari, and several unidentified individuals in a sexual harassment case. Congress labeled this FIR as a conspiracy aimed at tarnishing Avimukteshwaranand's reputation.
Constitutional Rights and Demands for Investigation
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum emphasized that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious communities to manage their affairs. It described the position of the Shankaracharya as one of the highest spiritual ranks in the Sanatan tradition, suggesting that the entire incident appears to have been orchestrated.
The Congress party requested that the backgrounds of those who filed the FIR be investigated transparently by a retired High Court judge, with strict action taken against anyone found guilty.
Support for Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Congress also called for a fair and transparent investigation into the allegations against Avimukteshwaranand to uncover the truth. Earlier, Ajay Rai, the president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress unit, stated after meeting the saint in Varanasi that the party stands firmly with Swami Avimukteshwaranand.
The Congress party affirmed its commitment to pressuring the government for a thorough investigation into the entire matter.
Recent Developments in the Case
On February 21, an FIR was filed in Prayagraj against Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari for alleged sexual misconduct involving two individuals, including a minor, over the past year during a Gurukul and religious gatherings. Following the filing of the case, Saraswati stated on Monday that he would not resist arrest, asserting that the fabricated story would eventually be exposed.