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Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the ‘Shankaracharya’ of Jyotirmath successful Uttarakhand, addressing a gathering successful Lucknow connected Wednesday (March 11, 2026), announced an 81-day run crossed Uttar Pradesh, opening May 3, demanding that the cattle beryllium recognised arsenic ‘Rashtra Mata’ (national mother), and that cattle slaughter beryllium banned crossed the country.
The campaign, titled ‘Kavishti Yatra’, a word utilized to picture a conflict for the extortion of cows, would commencement successful Gorakhpur and reason determination connected July 23. The lawsuit successful Lucknow was portion of a four-day programme named ‘Gau Pratistha Dharmayuddh’, which began successful Varanasi connected March 7.
The yatra volition question done astir 1.08 lakh villages crossed the State with the purpose of spreading consciousness astir cattle protection, and drafting attraction to what Mr. Saraswati described arsenic the crushed realities surrounding the issue.
The spiritual person is commencing the State-wide march weeks aft constabulary successful Prayagraj registered a lawsuit against him connected charges of molesting 2 minors, aged 14 and 17. The First Information Report was filed pursuing directions from a peculiar court.
Mr. Saraswati has denied the allegations, describing the lawsuit arsenic “false” and “politically motivated”. The ailment was lodged weeks aft a quality with the Prayagraj territory medication implicit alleged assaults connected his followers during the Mauni Amavasya bathing time connected January 18, 2026.
The struggle betwixt the 2 sides continued for respective weeks. During this period, the territory medication issued 2 notices to Mr. Saraswati — 1 seeking clarification connected his usage of the rubric “Shankaracharya”, and different accusing him of creating a “stampede-like situation” astatine the spiritual gathering attended by millions of devotees.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath besides commented connected the contention and criticised Mr. Saraswati, without referring to him by name.
With the U.P. Assembly predetermination expected by aboriginal adjacent year, Mr. Saraswati reiterated that the projected cattle extortion run was not intended to enactment immoderate governmental party.
