Varanasi: After opening a front against chief minister Yogi Adityanath following a standoff at the recent Magh Mela in Prayagraj, Swami Avimukteshwaranand on Saturday left Kashi for Lucknow to launch his ‘Dharmayudh’ (holy war) for cow protection. Before leaving for his ‘Gau Pratishtha Dharmayudh’, the seer performed a series of rituals on Friday evening by worshipping the River Ganga. After coming out of his Shri Vidya Mutt at Kedar Ghat on Saturday morning, he boarded his palanquin to reach the Chintamani Ganesh and Sankat Mochan temples to offer prayers before boarding his vanity van to reach Lucknow on March 11 via Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Raebareli, Unnao, and Lakhimpur Kheri. He has planned a non-violent and ideological movement to save the cows from Kanshiram Smriti Sanskritik Sthal in Lucknow on March 11.Before leaving Kashi, the seer said it was unfortunate that a movement against the govt, voted to power by cow lovers, became unavoidable. He said he has extended an invitation to CM Yogi, as a saint and head of the largest ‘Gau Rakshak Peeth’, to join the movement for cow protection.Avimukteshwaranand emphasized that the movement is for a genuine cause, urging fake Hindus to stay away. “We are beginning the ‘Dharmayudh’ march from Kashi to ensure the protection of the cows. People in large numbers are coming in support of the demand, but many are avoiding due to fear,” he said..Avimukteshwaranand has been in the limelight since the Magh Mela after he accused the Mela police and administrative officials of dishonouring him and assaulting his followers. Later, he staged a sit-in outside his camp, abstained from food and water, and sought an apology from senior officials of the mela administration and the police.The seer had thrown a challenge before CM Yogi to prove he was a true Hindu by declaring the cow as ‘Rajyamata’ and banning beef export from UP. The seer had given a 40-day ultimatum to fulfill his demands. On the 35th day, he left Kashi for his march.Later, a sexual harassment case was filed against Avimukteshwaranand at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj, involving two minor boys. The Allahabad HC granted him interim protection from arrest on Feb 27, staying coercive action against him. The protection holds until the next hearingIn the past 35 days, the seer has got strong backing from opposition parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party.
