Chinna Jeeyar’s remarks on Adi Shankaracharya have triggered sharp reactions across religious and cultural circles, with several Hindu seers and organisations accusing him of making divisive and historically questionable statements.
At a recent Samathakumbh Kumbh Mela, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy claimed that Adi Shankaracharya was a “pure Vaishnavite”, that he did not establish the four peethas, and that he therefore did not merit the honorific 'Jagadguru'. He further asserted that the title Jagadguru is loosely used today and maintained that the only true Jagadguru was Ramanujacharya.
Chinna Jeeyar also claimed that there was no historical evidence that Adi Shankaracharya returned from the Himalayas, and alleged that it was Vidyaranya Swami, associated with the Vijayanagara Empire, who later established the peethas to promote unity among Vaishnavites, Saivites and followers of the Shakta and Ganapatya traditions.
These comments have raised eyebrows, particularly because Chinna Jeeyar heads an institution named after the concept of equality, but has still previously courted controversy for remarks seen as disparaging to certain traditions.
A few years ago, he questioned the divinity of Sammakka and Sarakka, after whom biannual celebrations are held at the Medaram village in the Mulugu district of Telangana. He also questioned the knowledge of Koya priests.
His remarks were widely viewed as discouraging participation in the festival itself. However, the response on the ground was exactly the opposite.
The 2026 Maha Jatara witnessed the participation of more than three crore devotees over four days, with the Koya community continuing to lead the rituals and ceremonies as per tradition.
Several seers have now sought a retraction of Chinna Jeeyar’s latest statements. At a press meet, Sri Saiva Peetadhipathi Siva Swami demanded an apology.
Talking to THE WEEK, Sri Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Swami, however, struck a more cautious note, saying:
“Responding to such comments may not help. It is better if the media traces history, presents the evidence and settles the debate. Otherwise, there will be no end to it.”
Senior political and cultural commentator Telakapalli Ravi pointed out that Adi Shankaracharya propagated Advaita (non-dualism) and emphasised unity through the concept of Hari-Hara swaroopam. He noted that Shankaracharya began his yatra after visiting Kashi and offering prayers at Vishwanath.
Ravi cited scholars such as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Romila Thapar on the historical accounts of Shankaracharya’s life and the establishment of the four peethas at Sringeri (South), Dwarka (West), Puri (East) and Jyotirmath (North).
He described the current Saiva-Vaishnava divide as unnecessary and counterproductive, and questioned why Chinna Jeeyar would make such remarks in the presence of Ramanujacharya, who stood for reform, sophistication and unity.
A journalist, requesting anonymity, remarked that Chinna Jeeyar’s comments also appeared to echo a line from the film Dasavatharam, in which Kamal Haasan says that before modern religious divisions, people were divided as Saivas and Vaishnavas.
“Maybe he wants to take us back to the roots,” the journalist quipped.