Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Criticizes Renaming of PMO as ‘Sevatirth’

Meerut, December 12, 2025: Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati strongly criticized the recent decision to rename the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as ‘Sevatirth’. He described the move as inappropriate and a violation of the core principles of Sanatan Dharma.

The Shankaracharya, returning from the winter Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, arrived at Yogipuram Colony in Kankar Kheda, Meerut, where he received a warm welcome. During his visit, he sprinkled Ganga water over the local residents as a blessing and distributed prasadam to men and women, wishing them long life and prosperity.

Addressing the media, Swami Avimukteshwarananda said that he first learned about the renaming of the PMO to ‘Sevatirth’ on December 2, 2025, through news reports. He expressed strong objection to the use of the word ‘Tirth’ (pilgrimage site) for a government office, calling it a serious religious issue.

Criticism of Government Decision
The Shankaracharya noted that it was unexpected for a Hindu Prime Minister to allow an essential element of Sanatan Dharma, the concept of sacred ‘Tirthas’, to be misrepresented. He said that using the term ‘Tirth’ for administrative buildings is against scripture and equates to undermining the sanctity of real pilgrimage sites.

Scriptural Reference
Citing Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on the Chandogya Upanishad (8.15.1), he emphasized: “Tirtha is only that which is recognized as such according to the Shastras; elsewhere, it is not called a Tirtha.” Swami Avimukteshwarananda argued that naming the Prime Minister’s Office as a ‘Tirth’ clearly violates this scriptural injunction.

Appeal to the Government and People
The Shankaracharya urged the government to reverse the decision, stressing that the sanctity of pilgrimage sites is defined by scripture, not by political authority. He called upon followers of Sanatan Dharma to remain vigilant and protect their cultural and religious heritage, noting that governments may change, but the sacred traditions and Tirthas remain eternal.