Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Tuesday met seer Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in Varanasi and said his party stands with those who protect religion.

The meeting comes days after an FIR was registered in Prayagraj against the seer and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari over allegations of sexual abuse involving two persons, including a minor.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rai said the Congress would support religious leaders and institutions. He announced that memoranda addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, would be submitted across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday seeking his intervention.

“If anything wrong is happening, the Prime Minister should not remain silent,” Rai said, adding that any perceived insult to the seer would be viewed as an affront to the Sanatan tradition.

Referring to photographs purportedly showing a police officer with individuals who had levelled allegations against the seer, Rai termed the development a serious lapse. He also alleged that under the BJP government, saints and members of the Brahmin community were being disrespected and that voices raised in defence of religion were being suppressed.

Targeting Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rai said symbolic gestures such as honouring ‘Batuks’ (young Brahmin students) were insufficient. He said that if there was genuine respect, leaders should take a stronger public stand.

Following the registration of the FIR, Swami Avimukteshwaranand on Tuesday approached the Allahabad High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

The FIR was lodged on Saturday after a special judge under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Prayagraj directed that a case be registered while hearing an application moved by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others.

According to officials, the case has been registered under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The seer had recently drawn attention for his confrontation with authorities during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, alleging that the administration prevented him from taking a ritual bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

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The matter has since triggered political reactions in the state, with both the Congress and the BJP trading charges over the issue.