Mauni Amavasya Bath Seer Stopped by Police Amid Safety Concerns; Probe Demanded

On Mauni Amavasya, over 4.52 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela. A disruption occurred when police stopped Jyotirpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and about 200-250 followers from entering a bathing ghat without permission, citing safety concerns amid heavy crowds. The seer refused to comply and later protested the treatment, alleging mistreatment and police violence. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav condemned the incident and demanded a probe, while officials emphasized prioritizing devotees' safety and denied disrespecting saints.