By Nipjyoti Kalita
Itanagar, Sep 25: Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj is set to arrive in Itanagar tomorrow, September 26, 2024, at 8:30 AM by charter plane, as part of his nationwide Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra. The visit, which includes the symbolic installation of a cow flag, is aimed at advocating for the recognition of the cow as “Rashtra Mata” (Nation’s Mother).
The Swami’s proposed cow flag installation has ignited widespread controversy across Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, the District Commissioner of Itanagar Capital Complex, Talo Potom, had issued a ban on the Gau Dhwaj Yatra, though the Swami’s arrival will proceed as scheduled.
Opposition to the event has been growing, with the All Arunachal Pradesh Student’s Union (AAPSU) issuing a statement on September 9, condemning the initiative and expressing concerns about imposing external religious beliefs on the state’s indigenous population.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and the Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP) have also voiced strong criticism, citing the potential disruption to the socio-cultural harmony of the region.
Despite the ban on the yatra, tomorrow’s arrival of the Shankaracharya is expected to draw significant attention, with the controversial cow flag installation remaining a key focal point.