Shankaracharya Criticizes ‘I Love Mahadev’ Slogans, Calls Them Insulting

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj, a Shankaracharya, has strongly criticized the ‘I Love Mahadev’ and ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy during his visit to Bihar. He asserted that these slogans are designed to divert public attention from real concerns. He emphasized that the concept of Mahadev is for worship, not love, and that such statements constitute disrespect towards Mahadev. The Shankaracharya noted he does not know about Muhammad and that it’s not his place to comment on the matter. He further explained that using such language is considered inappropriate from a traditional religious perspective. The controversy arose on social media and in public spaces, with Hindu organizations using ‘I Love Mahadev’ slogans as a counter to ‘I Love Muhammad,’ which some see as a symbol of devotion and faith, while others view it as offensive, potentially causing societal division.