Controversy erupts after Harikatha at Krishna Mutt: allegations about Shankaracharya

During a Saturday evening Harikatha program at the Udupi Krishna Mutt, a renowned local spiritual center, stage performers delivered a narrative that reportedly included remarks seen as disrespectful toward the revered philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, sparking a sharp backlash from the audience and devotees.

The alleged comments surfaced when a few attendees, later speaking to local media, claimed the performers insinuated that Shankaracharya’s teachings were not applicable in the modern era. The Krishna Mutt administration released a statement condemning the remarks and said the troupe would be removed from future programmes pending a thorough review of the script and conduct guidelines.

Religious scholars, community leaders and a group of devotees have called for a formal inquiry, while others demanded a ban on Harikatha performances that criticize classical saints. The incident has stirred widespread discussion on the boundaries of religious art and merits a careful consideration of censoring content in such cultural events. Source: Google News – Udupi.