In a candid post on X, BSP chief Mayawati has rung alarm bells over politicians’ deepening involvement in religious events nationwide. From Uttar Pradesh to other states, leaders are increasingly gatecrashing festivals, rituals, and sacred baths, sparking avoidable rows and unrest, she observed.
The BSP leader decried this trend as a dangerous mix of politics and religion driven by selfish agendas. The ongoing Prayagraj spat serves as a glaring example: During Magh Mela’s Mauni Amavasya, revered Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati was barred by police from arriving in a palanquin for his holy dip, forced instead to proceed on foot. Protests erupted, leading to physical confrontations between his followers and officials.
Outraged, the spiritual head sat on a protest outside his encampment. The administration hit back with dual notices, probing his title’s legitimacy and demanding accountability for the disturbance, complete with threats of exclusion from the fair. Responses were filed, but the episode has drawn rival political camps, escalating tensions.
Mayawati called for swift amicable settlement, stressing constitutional wisdom that keeps governance and piety apart. True patriotism lies in impartial service to the masses, free from prejudice or favoritism. As Uttar Pradesh Day approaches, her message resonates: People yearn for leaders who honor this divide.
This isn’t mere rhetoric; it’s a plea to safeguard communal peace. With history replete with perils of faith-based politicking, Mayawati’s intervention spotlights the urgent need for restraint. Only through sincere adherence to law and equity can India preserve its secular fabric against such divisive forces.