Kinnar Akhara to appoint its own Shankaracharya, Mahamandaleshwar and saints on Mahashivratri

Bhopal: The transgender community will appoint Shankaracharya, Mahamandaleshwar, and Mahants for themselves in a grand ceremony to be held on February 15 in Bhopal, in the country. This announcement has been made by Kinnar Akhara founder Rishi Ajay Das, who is also the founder of India's first Kinnar Akhara.

Why is this step being taken?

Community leaders say they are facing challenges like “kinnar jihad” and forced conversions. That is why they have decided that the spiritual leadership of the Hindu transgender community should have its own identity and hence will be given a religious title like Shankaracharya.

When and where will the ceremony take place?

This special ritual will be organized on the day of Mahashivratri on 15th February in Lalghati area. The identity of the Shankaracharya selected in this event will be revealed to the public during the ceremony itself. Around 250 people of transgender community will return home (reconversion) to Hinduism.

What did the community leaders say?

Rishi Ajay Das has alleged that transgender settlements are being used by “jihadis” for their own interests, and some people from the community are being forcibly converted to Islam. It is also alleged that some groups have funding links to Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Why was Pushkar chosen?

The community has decided that their permanent 'peeth' will be established in Pushkar, which will be considered the headquarters of Shankaracharya. As there is the only temple of Lord Brahma here, this place has been chosen.

There is also opposition

Some groups have also expressed protest regarding this issue. A group with the support of Vishwa Hindu Parishad has submitted a memorandum to the Bhopal Collector, accusing the local transgender leader of “kinnar jihad” and forced conversion.

This step is being considered a unique effort towards establishing the identity and religious leadership of the transgender community, but the social and religious debate on it also seems to be intensifying.