Shankaracharya Challenges UP Govt: Grant Cow 'Rajyamata' Status in 40 Days

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Friday issued a 40-day ultimatum to the Uttar Pradesh Government, demanding that the cow be declared ‘Rajyamata’ (State Mother) as a demonstration of the ruling dispensation’s commitment to Hindu causes. Addressing a press conference at Shri Vidya Math in Varanasi, the seer warned of a statewide agitation if the demand is not accepted within the stipulated period.

The Shankaracharya said that if the state government fails to act, he, along with a large number of seers, would organise a Sant Samagam in Lucknow on March 11 to launch a sustained campaign on the issue. Alongside the demand for conferring the honorary status, he also called for an immediate halt to beef exports from Uttar Pradesh, which he claimed were incompatible with the state’s cultural and religious ethos.

Citing precedent, Avimukteshwaranand pointed out that Maharashtra has already accorded cows the status of “Rajyamata-Gomata”, arguing that Uttar Pradesh should follow suit. “We are giving the government 40 days to reconsider its policies. If, within these 40 days, the cow is not granted the status of Rajyamata and exports are not stopped, we will reach Lucknow with all the seers and stage a strong protest,” he said.

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The seer further claimed that Uttar Pradesh accounts for nearly 40% of the country’s beef exports, asserting that this contradicted repeated assurances of cow protection by successive governments. “Being a Hindu is not limited to speeches or saffron robes; its real test lies in cow protection and the protection of dharma,” he remarked, adding that religious commitment must be reflected in policy decisions.

Avimukteshwaranand’s latest demands come amid heightened tensions following his exit from the Magh Mela in Prayagraj on January 28, after a 10-day standoff with authorities. The dispute reportedly arose after he was allegedly stopped from proceeding to the Sangam in a palanquin for a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya on January 18.

The episode has added political and religious overtones to the ongoing debate around cow protection in Uttar Pradesh, with the state government yet to respond formally to the Shankaracharya’s ultimatum.

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