Overview

• Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati formally excommunicated Rahul Gandhi from Hinduism, citing his criticism of the Manusmriti in Parliament.
• The Shankaracharya described the Manusmriti as foundational to Sanatana Dharma and claimed Gandhi's remarks were offensive to Hindu traditions.
• Rahul Gandhi did not respond to a notice issued by the Shankaracharya Math demanding an apology for his remarks, leading to the excommunication decision.
• Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj challenged the legitimacy of the excommunication, labeling Swami Avimukteshwaranand a 'fake Shankaracharya' and accusing him of political bias.
• The controversy underscores deepening tensions between political critique, religious authority, and internal divisions within Hindu leadership.