Patna: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is a Hindu spiritual leader who recently made headlines with his incendiary remarks at the Sanatana Mahakumbh, a major religious congregation in Patna, the capital of Bihar. In his usual frank manner, he addressed religious, political and socio-interests, made some ice cutting comments on the Hindu identity, the impending Bihar polls and his Muslim free Hindurashtra vision. His comments, which featured strong criticisms of politicians and calls for cultural change have been divisive, attracting both praise and beligerence.
Rambhadracharya vowed to speak against those following “sick ideologies” to belittle Hindutva and he said, “Those who attack the Sanatana Dharma will be destroyed themselves.” He also called for political leadership in Bihar to follow Hindutva lines and asserted that the forthcoming state Assembly poll would be a ‘Maha Kumbh’ on the lines of Lok Sabha election. He added that the upcoming polls are a battle for cultural supremacy and that power will only go to those who are fighting for Hindutva.
The spiritual leader had announced plans to build a temple to Sita, the titular figure from the Ramayana epic, as well as to set Sita up as a state deity for Bihar. He also made a reference to Ramcharitmanas — a text sacred to Hindus — and invited its critics to discuss its merits with him, recalling a previous controversy. Quoting a former Bihar education minister who wrote negatively about it, Rambhadracharya added, “If anyone can prove that the Ramcharitmanas is anti-national, I will take my words back. But if they don’t, they will answer for it. He said he would come to Patna’s Gandhi Maidan after the next election for a “nine-day discourse” and “shut up those who speak against Lord Ram”.
Rambhadracharya targeted reforms that he claims jeopardize Hindu unity and dismissed all demands for the abolition of triple talaq, Waqf Board and Article 370 in Kashmir, advocating for solidarity among followers of Hindutva. He had also opposed caste-based censuses, saying they fragmented society. He called for at least three children per family for every Hindu core in the country, saying, “Leave everything else behind we have to think only for Hindutva’. The most shocking statement was made when he asked, “Why can’t India, which has a Hindu majority, be a Hindu nation, while countries like Pakistan and the United States have religious identity?”
Rambhadracharya took an especially stronger advance not attractive election remaining RJD relief prate holding (fool) Bogus Scam. Some dismissed the Padma Vibhushan that I got saying awards also come to storytellers,” he added. He quipped to them, “You even swallowed the fodder of cows, — up and down cheers rang from the crowd. He stressed the supremacy of chanting “Jai Shri Ram” vis-a-vis “Jai Siya Ram”, noting that Sita is the reincarnation of Goddess Kali who empowers Ram to win over evil.
Dubbed “insulting” by some, the speech has triggered fiery discussions with exhilarated supporters praising Rambhadracharya’s uncompromising assertion of Hindu tradition, and those against claiming his words could further rift Bihar’s varied electorate. And in an increasingly politically charged environment, his words will ring in the minds of the electorate as the state prepares for its next election.
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