Priests criticise Rahul Gandhi over remarks on ‘pujaris’
Team Udayavani, Jan 9, 2023, 3:51 PM IST
Several priests on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of ”insulting” those engaged in worship with his comment that India is a country of ”tapasvis” not ”pujaris”.
Gandhi had recently said in Haryana that the Congress believes in ‘tapasya’, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is an organisation of ‘pooja’. The BJP-RSS force people to worship them, he had alleged, adding that India is a country of ‘tapasvis’ (ascetics) and not ‘pujaris’ (priests).
Ujjwal Pandit of Yuva Teerth Purohit Mahasabha alleged that Gandhi had insulted India’s ancient cultural traditions in which priests have played a central role. It is clear that the Congress leader wore ‘janeu’ (holy thread) and tilak on his head for show, he alleged in a statement, claiming that Gandhi’s remarks are against Brahmins.
Swami Dipankar noted that the Gandhi scion had described his Bharat Jodo Yatra as his ”mohabbat ki dukan” (place for love), but was now talking about ”hate”. The Congress leader should think before speaking as he, on one hand, is working to unite people and on the other hand, is making this kind of statement. Should priests be then thrown into sea, he asked.
”He has undertaken such a glorious journey. I am shocked that he has made such a statement,” Dipankar said.
Rajnikant Semwal of Gangotri Dham said priests have had a key place in the land of ‘sanatan dharma’. Pujaris have been following an ancient tradition, he said, urging Gandhi to study the same. At some places, including Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, priests carried out protests and burnt Gandhi’s effigies. In the temple town of Deoghar in Jharkhand, priests demanded an apology from the Congress leader for insulting their tradition.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
INDIA bloc condemns anti-national forces and stands with Lord Ram, says Nadda
PM Modi accuses TMC of marginalizing hindus in Bengal
Congress against quota to Dalits, backwards; attacked Constitution by amending Preamble: BJP
ED intended to arrest Kejriwal from day 1, Shah admitted in interview: AAP minister Atishi
Rahul contesting Rae Bareli seat out of fear of defeat from Wayanad: MP CM Yadav
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
INDIA bloc condemns anti-national forces and stands with Lord Ram, says Nadda
Congress came to power in Karnataka with SDPI’s support, alleges Amit Shah
Fresh kidnapping case registered against H D Revanna and Prajwal: Police
PM Modi accuses TMC of marginalizing hindus in Bengal
Congress against quota to Dalits, backwards; attacked Constitution by amending Preamble: BJP