The Supreme Court did not hear the petition raising the issue of police use of force against the disciples and supporters of Swami Avimukteshwarananda in Prayagraj. The court has said that law and order comes under the jurisdiction of the state government. The petitioner can present his views before the concerned authority.
During the Magh Mela, on January 18, on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, the police used force against the supporters of Avimukteshwaranand who were going to take bath in Sangam. Police claim that Avimukteshwaranand wanted to go for bath in his palanquin instead of walking. When prevented from doing so, his disciples clashed with the policemen. After this force was used.
After this incident, the Magh Mela administration had also sent a notice to Avimukteshwaranand who was sitting on strike. In this it was asked why he calls himself Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth while the Supreme Court has banned his appointment to this post. His supporters have been expressing their displeasure regarding this notice also.
A lawyer named Ujjwal Gaur had filed a petition in the case opposing the interference of the administration in religious matters. He had also demanded the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such events. Besides, the notice sent by the Magh Mela administration to Avimukteshwaranand was also declared wrong.
On Monday, February 16, the case was listed for hearing in the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, but the judges refused to hear it. The bench said that the subject of law and order comes under the jurisdiction of the state government. If the petitioner has something to say, he can submit a memorandum to the concerned authority. The court will not interfere in this matter.
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