A dispute has once again arisen regarding who holds the position of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha around Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. The discussion intensified after Swami Vasudevananda Saraswati was included in the Ram Mandir Trust meeting in Ayodhya as the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha and received a place in the new religious commission of Ayodhya.
Following this development, Avimukteshwaranand expressed indignation and announced his intention to file a legal notice against Vasudevananda Saraswati regarding his recognition as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. In a press release issued by the Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra Trust, Vasudevananda Saraswati was conferred the title of Parama Pujya Jagatguru Shankaracharya Yodhishpitadhipati.
The question of who is the true Shankaracharya of this abode has resurfaced. The question is whether Avimukteshwaranand is the Shankaracharya of this abode, the successor of Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, or if it is Vasudevananda Saraswati, who has claimed the post of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha for the last two decades?
Previously, in 2019-20, a court ruling on the matter of land grant during Kumbh recognized Swami Swarupananda as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. However, after his death, according to his will, Swami Avimukteshwaranand was declared the Shankaracharya. Although this issue is still under consideration by the Supreme Court, the public has largely accepted Avimukteshwaranand as the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha.
Vasudevananda himself has been claiming the position of Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha for three decades and has been involved in legal proceedings. Since this matter is before the court, neither the central government nor the Yogi government has officially declared either of them as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha. Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath previously, on February 13, in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, refused to recognize Avimukteshwaranand as the Shankaracharya, stating that no one can declare themselves as Shankaracharya. In fact, Yogi's remark referred to Swarupananda's will, by which Avimukteshwaranand was appointed Shankaracharya after Swarupananda's death.
The fight for the title of true Shankaracharya now appears to be unfolding between the central government and the Uttar Pradesh government, as well as Avimukteshwaranand. After Avimukteshwaranand initiated an open confrontation regarding the Ayodhya case, the Ram Mandir Trust included Vasudevananda in its religious commission as Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha, which once again brought to the surface the dispute over who is the true Shankaracharya.
Currently, in the eyes of the sadhus and saints of Ayodhya, as well as the central and state apparatus of Yogi, Vasudevananda Maharaj is the Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha, while Avimukteshwaranand remains merely a sadhu to them. Thus, the dispute, which subsided during Swarupananda Saraswati's time in 2019-20, has once again come into focus, and it seems that the government has concluded that Vasudevananda Maharaj is the true Shankaracharya Yodhish Pitha.
Following the meeting of the Ram Mandir Trust council in Ayodhya on Thursday, a gathering of sadhus and saints took place on Friday. At this meeting, the elders supported Champat Rai and called for the protection of Ayodhya from disgrace.
Representatives of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and members of the RSS, including members of the committee formed by the Trust, participated in the assembly. Rajkumar Das, a member of the new Trust committee, told Aaj Tak that the individuals who made mistakes are currently in prison, and an investigation is underway by the SIT. He added that all aspects will soon become known, and at this moment, the spiritual community is united.
When representatives and lawyers of Shankaracharya Jotirmata Swami Avimukteshwaranandan Saraswati sent a legal notice to the Ram Mandir Trust, the Trust stated that this issue has been ongoing for a very long time. They also noted that the case is being heard in the Supreme Court, but they consider Vasudevanandaji Shankaracharya.
Trust committee member Rajkumar Das also stated that three vacant positions in the Trust must be filled by representatives of the sants. Mahilisharan Maharaj, a Trust committee member, asserted in an interview with Aaj Tak that disinformation is spreading in Ayodhya, and people are damaging the reputation of Ayodhya out of jealousy. He confirmed that the SIT investigation continues and the accused have been detained.
Mahilisharan Maharaj emphasized that there are no charges against Champat Rai, but rather a conspiracy. Regarding the legal notice sent by the representatives and lawyers of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranandan Saraswati to the Ram Mandir Trust, he responded: 'First, let them provide proof of their legitimacy; how can they send legal notices to those whose own legitimacy is not proven? May God grant them common sense.'
The majority of the elders at the meeting supported the former General Secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust, Champat Rai, and declared him innocent. The sants also raised questions regarding some other elders who had expressed doubts about Champat Rai from the beginning. Mahant Muni Das of Pathar Mandir stated at the meeting that some elders also questioned Santosh Dubey and criticized the language he used. He categorically stated that the decision would be made by the spiritual community of Ayodhya, not external observers, and that what the spiritual community desires will happen in Ayodhya.
Disputes are intensifying surrounding the statements made by Shankaracharya from Jyotirmatha, Swami Avimukteshwarananda, during his visit to Ayodhya. Saint Ashutosh Brahmachari has filed a complaint at the Ram Janmabhoomi police station demanding that a case be registered against Swami Avimukteshwarananda and requesting an impartial investigation into the entire matter.
Ashutosh Brahmachari claims that Avimukteshwarananda received government protocols while posing as the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmatha and Badrinath Ashram, despite the Shankaracharya's status being disputed in court. He insists that an investigation must be conducted into the basis upon which he was issued these government protocols.
The complaint also includes an allegation that Swami Avimukteshwarananda publicly made a statement regarding Hanuman Garhi that could provoke a religious conflict. Furthermore, Ashutosh Brahmachari demanded an inquiry into this statement and questioned the campaign declaring cows as 'national mother,' calling for an investigation into the objectives, speeches, and propaganda materials of this campaign.
The most serious claims concern the statue of Lord Ramlala located in Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. Ashutosh Brahmachari stated that Swami Avimukteshwarananda used the term 'black stone' regarding the Ramlala statue on media platforms and public events, which deeply offended the religious sentiments of millions of Rama devotees.
The complaint also asserts that during the trip to Ayodhya, some minor batchu (disciples) from Sanskrit Gurukuls were included in public events, which may violate their rights to education, safety, and legality. A demand for an examination of this aspect was raised. Currently, the Ram Janmabhoomi police station has accepted the complaint, and the police stated that further legal action will be taken based on established facts after the investigation is completed.
Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, reacted decisively to the incident of donation theft in Ram Mandir. Discussing this situation with the media on Friday, he called the case a 'stain' and noted that such an occurrence is extremely regrettable after Lord Rama settled in his magnificent temple following a long movement for Ram Mandir.
Mishra assured that the Trust took this matter very seriously and plans to make the temple's administrative systems more robust and transparent. He emphasized that maintaining the trust of pilgrims is the primary responsibility of the Trust, and necessary improvements at the administrative level will be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A high-level committee has been formed to appoint the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ram Mandir, which will review the candidatures of qualified individuals, after which the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust will make the final decision. Mishra stated that all steps will be taken to ensure the dignity, transparency, and smooth functioning of the temple.
Currently, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust is preparing to implement large-scale changes in the operation of Ram Mandir after July 22. These proposed changes cover improvements in visiting systems, methods of worship, Raga-Bhag rituals, donation management, security, crowd control, and pilgrim amenities. The Trust is seeking opinions from scholars following the Ramanandi tradition and saints so that the new systems become more transparent, organized, and convenient for pilgrims.
According to sources, new systems may be approved at the Trust's planned meeting on July 22. Decisions are also expected regarding the appointment of a new General Secretary of the Trust and the selection of new members for vacant positions. The Trust's goal is to simplify the visiting system, increase the transparency of donation management, and ensure greater accountability of the administrative structure.
Work is underway to improve security systems, crowd management, and the service system. The Trust's Treasurer, Govind Devagri, hinted that the systems would be improved based on suggestions from religious communities. Dinesh Chandra, trustee of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, received detailed recommendations on worship methods from Dinendra Das, Mahant Nirmohi Akhara, and a Trust member. Mahant Dinendra Das insisted on implementing classical rules and procedures for worship in Ram Mandir in accordance with the Ramanandi tradition.
