Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Tensions escalated in Maharashtra's Thane on Saturday after police removed devotees accompanying Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, leaving the religious leader alone in his palanquin amid tight security across the area. The dispute between the administration and the Shankaracharya intensified after police allegedly dragged away his disciples and detained several of them.
According to eyewitnesses, the Shankaracharya’s palanquin was forcibly pushed back towards the camp without him taking the customary ritual bath. The canopy of the palanquin was reportedly damaged during the commotion. Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati alleged that he was being taken back against his will, stating, “I am being forcibly taken back.”
The cops then dispersed all the devotees, while security forces remained deployed in large numbers to control the situation. Several disciples were detained as authorities attempted to restore order. Police is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, in a separate religious event in Thane, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendraacharya Ji received a grand welcome during the ‘Kache Bandhe Sankalp Puri’ ceremony. Addressing the media, the head of Shri Kshetra Nanijadham Peeth, Dakshin Peeth, discussed the integration of science, business and spirituality.
Narendraacharya Ji said that as a religious leader, he is committed to the protection and promotion of Hinduism. He claimed that 1,53,343 families had been brought back into the Hindu fold by reintegrating individuals influenced by Christian missionary activities.
He stressed the importance of education for the preservation of religion, advocating English education while underlining the need to protect the Marathi language. He also called for religious education from a faith-based perspective to foster devotion and awareness in society.
Commenting on the political climate, he said the atmosphere in Maharashtra has changed following the Assembly elections, describing the BJP–Shiv Sena victory as significant and calling for greater religious awareness in contemporary society.
