“Trust in God’s Court”: Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Responds to Sexual Abuse Allegations

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: An FIR has been registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati in connection with allegations of sexual abuse involving minor disciples. The registration of the case has sparked political and public debate, with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav expressing support for the Swami and opposing police action.

Swami Avimukteshwarananda’s Response
Addressing the media in Varanasi on Monday, the Shankaracharya stated that he would cooperate fully with the police and did not intend to resist arrest. “If the police want to arrest me, they may do so. We will cooperate. The public is watching. It is the people who will pass judgment,” he said.

He added, “Our conscience knows whether we are guilty or not. God also sees who is right and who is wrong. Truth always prevails. Falsehood will be exposed sooner or later. The stories being fabricated against me will be proven false in time.”

Allegations and CDs
The Swami dismissed claims that inappropriate acts occurred at his Gurukul. “The boys in question never studied here. They are students of a school in Hardoi, as their mark sheets show. How could anything happen here? It is being falsely claimed that a CD exists. If it exists, why is it not being made public?” he asked, questioning the authenticity of the alleged evidence.

He further raised the possibility that someone else might have created or circulated such material: “The children brought a CD claiming abuse. Who actually created it? These are questions that need answers in the coming days.”

CCTV Coverage and Oversight
Swami Avimukteshwarananda also emphasized that the entire venue was monitored by CCTV cameras installed by the administration. “Everything, including our bus and where we stood, was captured. Despite this, false claims are being spread that misconduct took place in the Gurukul,” he said.

On Alleged Conspiracies Against Sanatan Dharma
The Shankaracharya alleged a wider agenda against Hinduism: “Some people have come dressed in religious robes claiming to be Hindus but are actually working against Hindus. When they could not harm outsiders, they targeted Shankaracharyas to undermine their dignity and authority. They want their version of religion to be the only one accepted.”

The FIR and Ongoing Investigation
The FIR, registered under court orders, names Swami Avimukteshwarananda and his disciple Mukundananda. The allegations, brought forward by Ashutosh Brahmachari, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust, claim that during the Magh Mela, a minor and a young adult approached the Swami and accused him of serious misconduct. Police are actively investigating the claims.