Won’t tolerate any challenge to our existence: Ayodhya seer backs Dhirendra Shastri’s ‘Raghuvar’s nation’ remarks

Ayodhya, Sep 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) A fresh war of words has erupted between Hindu seers and All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi following remarks attributed to Bageshwar Dham head Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri over the cultural and religious identity of India.

Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, Peethadhishwar of Tapasvi Chhawani in Ayodhya, strongly reacted to the controversy and called for vigilance among followers of Sanatan Dharma, while asserting that religious differences should not be allowed to threaten the country’s cultural identity.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Shastri during a religious discourse in Kolkata, West Bengal. Shastri was quoted as saying that the country belongs to “Raghuvar” and Lord Ram rather than Akbar, while adding that the Quran and the Bible are respected in India out of regard for humanity. He had maintained that attempts to erase Indian culture in order to promote Christianity or Islam would not be acceptable.

"Rashidi had expressed displeasure over the remarks and said that they can do the construction according to Raghuvar’s vision as they are in power; when his preferred people will be in power, they will change the things. The exchange is a warning sign for followers of Sanatan Dharma. There is a need to remain vigilant and formulate a strategy to protect the community’s cultural interests," Acharya alleged.

“We are liberal and wish well for everyone, but we will not tolerate any challenge to our very existence,” Acharya said, according to the statement.

The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of a series of contentious exchanges between Rashidi and Shastri.

Earlier in August, too, Rashidi drew criticism over remarks concerning participants in the Kanwar Yatra. Reports said he described people involved in alleged incidents of vandalism, attacks on police and other disorderly conduct as “terrorists” and “drug addicts.” Shastri subsequently objected to portraying the wider community of Kanwariyas in such terms, arguing that isolated acts of wrongdoing should not be used to label millions of devotees.

Separately, Rashidi had also faced condemnation earlier this year over remarks that were interpreted by Hindu seers as threatening to the Hindu community. In May, several Ayodhya seers criticised him over comments concerning fear among Hindus and called for legal action. Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya was among those who publicly condemned Rashidi’s remarks at the time.

Source: IANS