Kerala: CM Vijayan Reaffirms Stand On Sanatan Dharma; LoP Warns Interpretation 'Aiding Sangh Parivar'

The BJP accused Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan of disrespecting Sanatana Dharma and its followers during his speech at the pilgrimage held in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district.

KPCC President K. Sudhakaran, addressing a separate event at the Sivagiri pilgrimage, claimed that the Chief Minister’s statement was wrong.

Source : Special arrangement

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday reiterated his stance that Sree Narayana Guru should not be associated with Sanatana Dharma. Speaking in response to BJP’s allegations of “vote bank politics” during his address at the Sivagiri pilgrimage inauguration on Tuesday, Vijayan firmly stated that Sree Narayana Guru was neither a practitioner nor a proponent of Sanatana Dharma. Instead, he described the revered monk as a reformer who challenged traditional systems and ushered in a new era of ‘Dharma.’

The Chief Minister made the statement as part of an annual three-day Sivagiri pilgrimage, which commenced on December 30. The event remains a significant event for followers of Sree Narayana Guru. 

KPCC President K. Sudhakaran, addressing a separate event at the Sivagiri pilgrimage, claimed that the Chief Minister’s statement was wrong. Sudhakaran also alleged that there had been attempts to “hijack” the ideals and legacy of Sree Narayana Guru for political gains.

Satheesan said: "Sanatana Dharma is a cultural heritage. It encompasses Advaita, Tat Tvam Asi, the Vedas, the Upanishads, and their essence. Claiming that all of this belongs to the Sangh Parivar is misleading."

"Handing over Sanatana Dharma and its legacy to the Sangh Parivar is incorrect. What the Chief Minister said is wrong. We do not support the varna-ashrama or chaturvarnya system. Even Sree Narayana Guru has explained the essence of Sanatana Dharma in detail. It is not right to dismiss Sanatana Dharma entirely or claim that it exclusively belongs to the Sangh Parivar," the Leader of the Opposition said.

The BJP accused the Chief Minister of disrespecting Sanatana Dharma and its followers during his speech at the pilgrimage held in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district. Party leaders alleged that Vijayan’s remarks insulted Sree Narayana Guru's spiritual legacy and hurt his devotees' sentiments.

"The crux of Vijayan's speech at the Sivagiri conference was that Sanatana Dharma should be hated. His remarks were a continuation of Udayanidhi Stalin's statement that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated," senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan said.