‘Will intensify campaign for cow protection’

Metro India News | VARANASI

Param Dharmadhish, Jyotish Peethadhishwar and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Shri Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj returned to Kashi on Wednesday evening after completing his Chaturmasya Vrat observance in Chhattisgarh. On his arrival, saints, devotees and residents of Kashi, led by Brahmachari Paramatmanand Ji, accorded him a grand welcome. At Shri Vidya Math, Kamala Prasad Mishra and Premlata Mishra performed puja and aarti of the Shankaracharya’s Padukas. Large numbers of devotees gathered along his route to seek his darshan and blessings.

Speaking to the media at Shri Vidya Math, Shankaracharya said that after completing his Chaturmasya Vrat, he would intensify his campaign for the protection of cows and his demand that the cow be declared the “Rashtra Mata” (Mother of the Nation). He said he still hoped the government would take steps to protect cows and grant them the proposed status. If that did not happen, he said, he would approach the Opposition and urge it to take up the issue.

He further said efforts would be made to mobilize Sanatanis around the issue and build political support for cow protection. Responding to a question about the Chief Minister’s statement that the alleged theft case related to the Ayodhya Ram temple would be investigated thoroughly; the Shankaracharya alleged that key individuals were being protected while some others were being made scapegoats.  According to Sanjay Pandey, media in-charge of the Shankaracharya, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati will remain in Kashi until Navratri. During this period, various spiritual rituals and auspicious religious programs will be conducted.