Varanasi: UP Congress Committee president Ajay Rai said despite being a Yogi, the chief minister had insulted Swami Awimukteshwaranand. Speaking here on Wednesday, Rai said, “If Yogi govt does not consider him a Shankaracharya, it should clarify in whose name land was allotted during 2025 Maha Kumbh. Sanatan sentiment was hurt by Yogi govt’s bid to insult Shankaracharya.” He said Congress was ready to launch agitation in support of Avimukteshwaranand and was waiting for his call.Along with former Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Nana Bhau Patole, Rai offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple and said, “We sought blessings for justice and protection of Sanatan. We also offered floral tributes to the statue of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar in KV Dham and took pledge to protect Kashi’s Sanatan tradition, cultural heritage, and historical identity.”Rai said, “Kashi is a living centre of Sanatan consciousness and the concept of moksha,” said Rai, blaming Yogi for tampering with Kashi’s faith, culture and Sanatan tradition. The Prime Minister laid foundation stone for Manikarnika Ghat’s rejuvenation in 2023, but, in the name of beautification, original soul of the ghat was damaged.”Challenging the CM, Rai said if video related to desecration of Ahilyabai’s statue was AI-generated, govt should give concrete evidence in public and also clarify where that statue was kept. Govt ministers and officials accepted that the statue was broken, while on the other hand, it was termed an AI video, he said.Patole said he prayed to Lord Vishwanath for wisdom to Central and state govts, so that Kashi’s historical, spiritual, and cultural identity remained protected. He said, “Manikarnika Ghat is a symbol of the concept of moksha. Breaking the temple of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar ji at Manikarnika Ghat, which she protected, and damaging religious symbols, is extremely unfortunate. It is an insult to Sanatan tradition and history.” tnn
