During the recent Magh Mela in Prayagraj, a controversy erupted when Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand was allegedly stopped from taking a holy dip, raising questions about the Uttar Pradesh government's actions amidst opposition criticism. The incident involved a reported pulling of the shares of the student monks accompanying the Shankaracharya, which intensified the scrutiny over the state's response to religious matters.

In a bid to manage the situation, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak labeled the act of pulling the hair of the student monks a significant sin and subsequently invited 101 of them to his official residence in Lucknow. The gathering served as a platform for him to honor these students ceremonially with flowers and ceremonial tilak, reiterating the importance of respecting cultural traditions and seeking blessings from the monks.

Pathak's actions symbolize a commitment to cultural values and an attempt to reassure the public regarding the government's respect for religious traditions. By highlighting the need for societal responsibility towards honoring customs, the Deputy CM aimed to promote a sense of unity and respect during a time of public unrest regarding the situation involving the Shankaracharya.