By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 28 Jul: Top BJP leaders from Uttarakhand have reacted sharply to the controversial claims made earlier today by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya. Maurya has claimed most Hindu temples in the country including Badrinath temple have been built by demolishing Buddhist monasteries. Priests from Lord Badrinath temple have also criticised Maurya for such controversial and “baseless” claims.
In response to the questions asked by the media programmes at the conclusion of a programme held at IRDT Auditorium here this afternoon, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reacted very sharply to the controversial claims made by Maurya in respect of the Badrinath temple. Strongly condemning the statement made by Maurya as indecent, he described SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya’s statement regarding Badrinath Dham as maliciousness towards the Sanatani culture of the opposition alliance. After the latest tweet by SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who described Badrinath Dham as a Buddhist monastery, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also reminded that SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav’s wife Dimple Yadav too belongs to Uttarakhand and she should come forward to explain what her party’s stand is on the claim of Maurya. Dhami called upon Dimple Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav to respond appropriately to Maurya and clarify their position in this respect. Dhami further described Maurya’s claim as an example of disruptive thinking of the Opposition leaders.
Later, the CM also tweeted in this respect making it clear that he strongly condemns the indecent remarks made by Maurya in respect of Badrinath Dham. He added that the Badrinath was a centre of faith for crores of Hindus across the world and it was one of the Char Dhams. He added that Maurya ought to have contemplated deeply before making such an irresponsible claim. The CM also added that he was shocked but not surprised with such claims since the party he belongs to has shown its contempt for the Sanatani culture and the alliance the party belongs to is no different either. Dhami said that the parties which have been continuously engaged in appeasement of a particular section of society are continuing with their policy of dividing the people. He added that it is ironic that Maurya has Swami as his first name but no sainthood is seen in his actions. The alliance to which SP belongs goes on to show the thinking and mindset of Congress and its allies against the Sanatani culture of the country.
State BJP President Mahendra Bhatt, while talking to the media, also strongly condemned the controversial remarks made by Swami Prasad Maurya regarding Badrinath Dham. He observed that even after this controversial statement of Maurya that all Sanatani religious places are disputed, no major opposition leader has come forward to criticise his statement. This proves that the alliance of the opposition has once again been made on the basis of insulting Sanatan Dharma and culture. He alleged that Maurya’s attack on Sanatana religious beliefs shows his ideological bankruptcy. They are not even aware and it is not convenient for their party and coalition politics that God has been giving darshan to his devotees in Badri Dham for ages.
Taking a jibe at the local Congress leaders, he said that only talking about Uttarakhandiyat does not help, the Congress leaders should have opposed all people like Maurya who keep on targeting the Hindu religious places and traditions for political purposes. Challenging the Congress, he said, Badrivishal’s abode is a symbol of our self-respect not only in the country but in the world but the Congress leaders are unable to muster the courage to speak against their political ally which is insulting the Sanatani culture of Uttarakhand. Bhatt alleged that the opposition is not able to digest the efforts being made towards cultural-religious revival, construction of Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ujjain Mahakaal Temple Corridor, Badri Kedar reconstruction and beautification under the leadership of PM Modi. This is the reason why, through leaders like Maurya, continuous attempts are made to insult the places and ideas related to Sanatani faith and belief. Emphasizing, he said, the opposition alliance may make such efforts, but no one can stop the coming of the golden period of Indian culture in the world.
Meanwhile senior member of Badrinath Kedarnath temple committee and pilgrimage priest Bhaskar Dimri said that SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya has lost his mental balance. Theshould come to Badrinath Dham for mental peace and spiritual knowledge. Dimri reminded that according to Puranas, Shri Badrinath Dham is ancient and is known by different names in all the four eras. Badri area is famous as Mukti Prada in Sat Yuga, Yoga Siddha in Treta Yuga, Manibhadra Ashram in Dwapar Yuga and Badrikashram or Badrinath in Kali Yuga.
Challenging the arrogance of the local Congress leaders, State President Mahendra Bhatt asked them to at least have the courage to oppose the humiliation of Sanatani culture and the Uttarakhand’s pride.
It may be recalled that Maurya is known to make controversial remarks against Hindu religious scriptures and temples. In the past, he had called for a ban on Ram Charit Manas too. Now he has opposed the proposed survey of Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi and has called for a similar survey of various Hindu temples such as Badrinath, which he claimed that had been built by demolishing the Buddhist monastery at Badrinath in the eighth century. Ever since the statement of the SP leader, there is anger among the people of Uttarakhand on this issue related to faith.
Many Hindu sages have criticised Maurya for his controversial remarks. Bhumapithadhishwar Swami Achyutanand Tirtha said that Maurya has little knowledge on the subject and reminded that Badrinath temple is mentioned in Vishnu Purana as an abode of Nar-Narayan. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. This proves that this place has been a Hindu religious place since time immemorial. Anyone else’s entry in Badrikashram area has been prohibited, in such a situation it is completely wrong to call it a Buddhist shrine.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani, said that Maurya is doing all this to keep himself in the limelight. There is no need to pay attention to their baseless talk.
