Swami Govind Dev Giri Slams Swami Avimukteshwaranand as “Fake Shankaracharya”

Swami Govind Dev Giri (Sri Govindananda Saraswati Maharaj) has openly referred to Swami Avimukteshwaranand as a "fake Shankaracharya," claiming that he is not a genuine religious leader and is being supported by the Congress party. At a press meet, Govind Dev Giri said, "Avimukteshwaranand is fake no.1.". Forget about Shankaracharya, adding ‘sadhu’, ‘sant’ or ‘sanyasi’ to his name is also inaccurate.” 

He further claimed that a Varanasi court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Avimukteshwaranand, declaring him an absconder, and accused him of hiding in Madhya Pradesh to evade arrest.

Govind Dev Giri also condemned Avimukteshwaranand for issuing controversial remarks, including reports that 228 kg of gold was stolen from Kedarnath, and for raising questions over the consecration (Pran Pratishtha) of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. 

Govind Dev Giri accused Avimukteshwaranand of taking political backing from Congress, referencing a letter by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra where she referred to him as Shankaracharya despite a pending Supreme Court stay over his appointment.

These comments have ratcheted up the current controversy within the Hindu religious community regarding the validity of religious titles and the political-religious interface.