File image of Swami Avimukteshwaran and Saraswati. | Photo credit: PTI
‘Shankaracharya’ Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has stepped up his feud with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and announced the launch of ‘Gau Pratistha Dharmayuddh’ (cow protection crusade) from Varanasi to Lucknow starting this weekend.
The march follows what Mr Saraswati described as government inaction on a 40-day ultimatum to strengthen cow protection measures, including declaring the cow the “Rajya Mata” (Mother of the State) and banning the export of beef from the state.
The announcement comes days after Mr Saraswati was booked by the Prayagraj police for molesting two minors aged 14 and 17. The FIR was registered on the instructions of the special court.
Terming the case as “bogus” and “politically motivated”, the religious leader claimed it was initiated weeks after a confrontation with the district administration over alleged attacks on his followers during the Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj Magh Mela on 18 January.
The dispute between the two sides continued for weeks. The district administration issued two notices to the religious leader – the first seeking an explanation for his use of the title ‘Shankaracharya’, the second accusing him of creating a “kolak-like situation” at a religious fair attended by millions of devotees. Mr. Adityanath also reacted to the issue and criticized Mr. Saraswati without naming him.
In a letter detailing the plan for the march, Mr Saraswati described the movement as “non-violent and rooted in religious scriptures”. However, his mobilization and rhetoric carry an unmistakable political undertone. Public meetings are planned in districts including Sultanpur, Raebareli, Naimisharanya and Unnao before the march culminates in Lucknow on March 11. Opposition parties like the Indian National Congress and the Samajwadi Party have already extended their support to Mr. Saraswati.
“The aim of the march is to remind the government of its moral and constitutional responsibility. If a decision is not reached within 9-10 days, the responsibility lies with Yogi Adityanath, the state government and the respective political parties and their leadership,” Saraswati said.
Responding to this, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said that Mr. Saraswati is “Jagatguru Shankaracharya” and would welcome him wherever he travels.
“In Uttar Pradesh, no one can even scratch a cow. We consider her our mother and it is our duty to protect her. This government is doing so to the fullest extent.” Mr. Maurya also questioned the need to declare the cow as the “state mother” and said it was obvious to all that the cow is the mother of all Hindus.
Published – March 2, 2026 10:48 PM IST
