Dharm Sansad: Differences among seers
HARIDWAR: With some saints criticising the alleged delivery of hate speeches and targeting of a specific religion during the Dharma Sansad held in Haridwar last December, two seers associated with the event have called for a debate on scriptures and issues raised at the Sansad.
The two seers -- Swami Yati Narsinghanand, spiritual head of Dasna temple, and Swami Amritanand -- have challenged the saints critical of the speeches at the Dharma Sansad for an open debate on Indian religious scriptures, the Vedas, the Bhagvad Gita, the Ramayana, the Quran and Islamic history.
“Will take jal samadhi (going voluntarily into water to end one’s life ) if we get defeated in the debate with the saints who oppose Dharma Sansad seers’ stance. Jihadi extremist organisations are openly threatening the country’s integrity, but the so-called prominent Hindu spiritual leaders and saints are keeping silent on cases unduly filed against some Dharma Sansad organisers and participants,” said Narsinghanand, associated with Juna Akhada.
Narsinghanand is out on bail in two cases filed against him over the alleged hate speeches made at Dharma Sansad. After getting bail, he is demanding release of Jitendra Narayan Tyagi (formerly Waseem Rizwi) who was first arrested in the hate speech case.
A few days ago, Mahamandaleshwar Rajguru Swami Santoshanand had urged seers to refrain from using religious platforms like Dharma Sansad for targeting other religions and ensure that no controversy is created at such religious congregations. Akhada Parishad office-bearers’ silence on the cases has not gone down well with Dharma Sansad organisers.
“Many saints are close to political parties and even turned politicians, so they are not standing with us. These saints’ stance is dictated by their political ideologies and electoral aspects. But we at Dharma Sansad have been raising voicing for safeguarding Sanatan Dharma and India,” said Amritanand.
Santoshanand said, “Today it seems anyone is holding or organising Dharma Sansad, while in fact it’s organised only for safeguarding Sanatan Dharma. “Dharma Sansad has nothing to do with any other specific religion or specific person. Caution and harmony should be maintained while organising Dharma Sansad.”
Akhila Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri said the Parishad was not associated directly with Dharma Sansad and that its main objective is to hold Mahakumbh fairs, raise issues related to akhadas and safeguard Sanatan Dharma.
“Saints associated with us have been told to maintain dignity whether it’s through words or behaviour. Saints have been guiding society to right path and are a bridge between the Almighty, spirituality and common devotees,” said Puri.
Narsinghanand said the issues raised during Dharma Sansad were those the BJP has been raising during assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. He said the issues include love jihad, jihadi extremist threat, uniform civil code and forceful religious conversions.
DHARMA SANSAD ORGANISERS CALL SEERS CRITICAL OF THEM FOR DEBATE ON RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES