Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Sadhu Samaj today staged a strong protest in front of Press Club here against the statement of Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi had recently said in Haryana that the Congress believes in ‘Tapasya’, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is an organisation of ‘Pooja’. He alleged that the BJP-RSS force people to worship them, adding that India is a country of ‘Tapasvis’ (ascetics) and not ‘Pujaris’ (priests).
Sadhus under the leadership of Mahant Swami Rameshwar Das, Mahant Dutt Giri Ji Maharaj, and Mahant Rajesh Bittu raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi. In Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had said that this country belongs to ascetics, not priests. Rahul has also said that Congress is an organization of penance and BJP is an organization of priests, he added.
Swami Rameshwar Dass said Congress has always opposed Sanatan Dharam during its rule of more than 70 years. He advised Rahul Gandhi not to interfere with Dharam.
Mahant Dutt Giri Ji Maharaj and Mahant Rajesh Bittu termed Rahul Gandhi’s statements as anti-Hindu. He said that Jammu is called the City of Temples and in all the temples here only the priests serve God and Rahul’s statements are against the priests as well as Sanatan Dharma traditions.
They demanded Rahul should apologize. During the demonstration, all the Sadhus raised slogans. They alleged Rahul Gandhi had insulted India’s ancient cultural traditions in which priests played a central role.
Priests had a key position in the land of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. Pujaris have been following an ancient tradition, he said, urging Rahul Gandhi to study the same.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
