Tensions escalate in Varanasi as Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati battles child abuse allegations hanging over him and his aides. Racing against potential arrests, a bail petition sits before the High Court, while the pontiff calls for an expansive, unbiased investigation to preserve his office’s sanctity.
Voicing strong displeasure, he deemed the accusations a grave affront. ‘Leveling such claims on a Shankaracharya is improper; only a thorough, high-level scrutiny can uphold the post’s dignity,’ he declared. Doubting UP police neutrality, he proposed a multi-state committee for fairness.
Fake photo scandals added fuel, with AI suspicions rife. ‘These images aim to fake our police ties—authorities must trace their genesis,’ he pressed.
The reward controversy for a rival’s mutilation? Mere saintly indignation, he said. ‘No cutting will happen; Hinduism rejects harm—it’s grief in words.’
Probe advancements promise revelations, and Avimukteshwaranand urges non-interference. This episode spotlights challenges in probing religious luminaries, digital fakery perils, and demands for credible policing.