Varanasi, Feb 25 (NationPress) Jagatguru Balak Devacharya of Patalpuri Math has expressed profound concern regarding the allegations against a Shankaracharya. He articulated that this matter is highly distressing and poses a significant threat to public trust in the spiritual community if the accusations are validated.

In an interview with IANS, he remarked that while he believes the claims to be unfounded, the mere possibility of their truth could have extensive repercussions.

“I consider these allegations to be incorrect. Yet, if they are confirmed, even accidentally, it will result in a widespread loss of faith in all sants, beyond just one individual. We’ve faced similar challenges in the past, such as during the Asaram Bapu scandal, which took years for society to recover from. At that time, it was clarified that he operated his own sect. I sincerely hope that the allegations against the Shankaracharya are proven false,” he stated.

Devacharya highlighted that making accusations against spiritual leaders is relatively easy, but the associated stigma and scrutiny that follow can be immensely challenging.

He pointed out that spiritual leaders commit their lives to devotion, discipline, and service, and public allegations can inflict lasting damage to their reputations, regardless of the outcome.

Referring to a statement by Goswami Krishnadevaraya, he mentioned that sexual desire is a potent force that can challenge anyone. Sants dedicate their lives to prayer, meditation, and worship, seeking divine strength to overcome lust, anger, attachment, and other worldly distractions.

He also mentioned that the case is currently sub judice, refraining from detailed commentary on its legal aspects.

The controversy surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati escalated after a special POCSO court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the Shankaracharya and his aide, Mukundanand Giri, due to their alleged involvement in the sexual exploitation of two children at his ashram on February 21.

In response to the recent lathi-charge incident in Prayagraj, Devacharya criticized the officers involved, asserting that using batons in public is inappropriate in a civil society.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath continues to earn respect for his contributions to the state, especially regarding religious institutions, temples, and monasteries, while urging for measured public discourse.

He concluded by stating that India is a land rich in Sanatan traditions, Brahmins, sants, and the sacred cow, emphasizing that followers of Sanatan Dharma cannot accept actions that undermine these values or hurt religious sentiments.