Akhadas tell Sai Trust to take back FIR or face nationwide stir

Tribune News Service

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Haridwar, July 3

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad has warned Shirdi-based Sai Trust of dire consequences if it does not take back the FIR registered against Dwarka peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swarupanand Saraswati Maharaj.

Akhada Parishad national president Shri Mahant Narendra Giri Maharaj said Shirdi Sai Trust should take back its complaint and seek apology from the revered Shankaracharya.

Notably, Jyotish-Dwarka Sharda peeth Shankaracharya Swarupanand Saraswati has been giving statements on not regarding Sai Baba as a deity or an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Shankaracharya has also urged his devotees and Sanatan Dharma followers to not worship Sai at home or temples.

On this, the Sai Trust had last month registered an FIR against the spiritual guru, which has evoked stern resentment from the entire saint community.

Currently staying at his Kankhal-based ashram, Shankaracharya Swarupanand Saraswati has said he will not appear in court or adhere to any legal notice as he had not said anything wrong.

“Shankaracharya is a revered figure for the Indian religion, society and for all Akhadas. He has cited religious scriptures for his statements given on Sai Baba controversy. Sai also used to call himself a ‘fakir’, so worshiping him in deity or God form is not feasible. Sai Trust is thus disrespecting the Shankaracharya and Sai Baba also. If trustees don’t take back their complaint, a nationwide movement will be started by the Akhada Parishad and Naga sanyasis,” Shri Mahant Narendra Giri Maharaj said.

Mahant Narendra Giri Maharaj is the head of all 13 Akhadas of India, who have added that they will soon meet President Pranab Mukherjee in regard with this case.