Amid Shankaracharya Row, UP Deputy CM Worships Brahmin Students in Lucknow

February 19, 2026

Prayagraj, UP: Amid the Shankaracharya controversy in Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak worshipped Brahmin students. He invited 101 students to his Lucknow residence on Thursday morning. Along with his wife Namrata Pathak, he applied tilak to all the students. He bowed with folded hands and showered flowers. During this, the students chanted Vedic mantras.

After the worship, the Deputy Chief Minister wrote on X – “Respect for the students, our good fortune.”

Shankaracharya Disciple Assault Case

In fact, on January 18 during Mauni Amavasya, a disciple of Avimukteshwarananda was dragged by his hair and beaten by the police at the Prayagraj Magh Mela. The incident gained momentum after a video of this incident appeared in Dainik Bhaskar.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak remained silent on the entire matter for a month. Two days ago, he spoke for the first time about the controversy at a media event, saying, “The braid should not have been pulled. Whoever is guilty should be severely punished. Pulling the braid is a grave crime. You will see, it will be a grave sin.”

Although he did not mention Shankaracharya by name, the Deputy CM’s move is being seen as an attempt to control the damage amid Brahmin anger.

Political Context and Brahmin Anger

The Brahmin community in Uttar Pradesh is upset by the UGC and Avimukteshwarananda controversy. Pathak is a Brahmin leader of the BJP, but his silence on both issues had earlier put him under attack from the Brahmin community. It is believed that this event was organised to send a message to the Brahmin community. According to sources, Pathak took the central leadership into confidence before undertaking this exercise.

This photo was captured by a Dainik Bhaskar reporter. The matter escalated after the video surfaced. The image shows police dragging the monk into a tent, dragging him and even slapping him.

Pathak’s Message After Worship

Pathak said, “The arrival of the children blessed the land of our residence.”

After worshipping the Brahmin children, Brajesh Pathak wrote, “Today, the divine little Brahmins, in their guest form, blessed the land of our residence. I welcomed the Brahmins along with my wife and received their blessings.

“I am grateful for all your love, kindness, and blessings. Such sacred moments are always memorable. I wish that this priceless heritage of our culture remains safe and prosperous forever.”

Brajesh Pathak, along with his wife Namrata, applied tilak to all the students and bowed with folded hands.

Political Reading of the Event

Senior UP journalist Virendra Nath Bhatt said about the worship of Batukas:

By worshipping the children, Brajesh Pathak has attempted to dispel the narrative that the BJP and the state government are anti-Brahmin. Following the Shankaracharya and UGC controversy, the perception was that Brahmins were angry. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was in Lucknow at the time. Pathak worshipped the children then. This indicates that everyone agreed. It would be wrong to view this as a conflict. After performing the puja, Pathak met with the RSS chief.

During this, 101 Brahmin students chanted Vedic mantras.