Chaos at Sangam Ghat on Mauni Amavasya, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand refuses to bathe

Prayagraj: Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand has refused to bathe on Mauni Amavasya at the Prayagraj Magh Mela. He turned his palanquin back midway from the akhara (monastery). It is reported that when he was going from the akhara to the Sangam confluence in his palanquin, Uttar Pradesh government’s Home Secretary Mohit Gupta and his disciples got into a scuffle. Following this, the situation escalated, and Avimukteshwaranand refused to bathe.

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand told Aaj Tak that his disciples were being beaten up. The officers were gesturing to hit them, so he would not bathe. It is worth noting that a massive crowd of devotees has gathered in Prayagraj, the city of Sangam, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Police forces are deployed to control the crowd. Police officers have been patrolling from the control room to the Sangam confluence since last night.

Video of the scuffle surfaces
A video of the scuffle between Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand’s disciples and the police at the Sangam ghat has also surfaced. In the video, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand can be seen going towards the Sangam ghat in his palanquin. A large number of his disciples were with him. During this time, an argument broke out between his disciples and Uttar Pradesh government’s Home Secretary Mohit Gupta and several policemen. The situation then escalated.

During this incident, his disciples were also pushed and shoved. After this, Avimukteshwaranand refused to bathe. However, the police say that Avimukteshwaranand’s disciples were going to the Sangam confluence together, while they were being asked to go in smaller groups because the crowd was very large. There was a fear of the situation getting out of control. Despite the administration’s warnings, Avimukteshwaranand’s disciples were going for the bath together. When they were stopped, they clashed with the policemen.

A huge crowd of devotees has been gathering since midnight.
The number of devotees in Prayagraj, the city of the confluence of rivers, is continuously increasing on Mauni Amavasya. Since 12:00 AM, devotees have been heading towards the Sangam (confluence) to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Police and PAC personnel have been deployed to control the crowd at the Sangam Nose. Policemen are using whistles to prevent devotees from stopping in one place. People are being continuously moved forward after taking a bath at the Sangam Nose.

The administration has estimated that more than three crore devotees will arrive for Mauni Amavasya. Water police, NDRF, SDRF, Flood Company PAC, and divers have been deployed at the bathing ghats. In addition, police, PAC, RAF, BDS, UP ATS commandos, and intelligence agencies are deployed at the fair. According to the Police Commissioner, every nook and corner is being monitored. The entire Magh Mela is being monitored with CCTV and drone cameras. Suspicious persons and objects are also being closely watched.