Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's advice to Hindu society at large, asking them to refrain from raking up temple-mosque disputes across the country, has come in for some harsh criticism from Hindu spiritual leaders.
On Sunday, Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya expressed strong disagreement with Bhagwat's views. "I completely disagree with Mohan Bhagwat’s statement. Let me make it clear, Mohan Bhagwat is not our disciplinarian, but we are," Swami Rambhadracharya said speaking to news agency IANS.
On Thursday, Bhagwat had expressed concerns over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes and advised people to refrain from raking up such issues. In his remarks, Bhagwat said that one cannot become a "leader of Hindus" by continuing to raise temple-mosque disputes.
"We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of the Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable," Bhagwat said while delivering a lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru’ in Pune.
Bhagwat's remarks came in the wake of multiple petitions being filed across the country seeking surveys of mosques based on claims that they were built over Hindu temples. Recently, Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh recently witnessed violent clashes in the midst of a similar court-mandated survey of a mosque.
Reacting to the development, Swami Rambhadracharya expressed concern but said it was good that facts were being uncovered in favour of Hindus. "What is happening in Sambhal right now is very bad. However, the positive aspect is that things are being uncovered in favour of Hindus. We will secure this, through the courts, through the ballot, and with public support," he said.
He also condemned the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and said that the issue has been raised with the government. "What is happening there is very bad. We have raised the issue with the government. The interim government in Bangladesh is extremely cruel. But wait and watch, everyone responsible for these acts against Hindus will face consequences," he added.
Meanwhile, Bhagwat's remarks also drew a strong reaction from Swami Avimukteshwarananda, the Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand. The Shankaracharya said that Hindus have historically faced innumerable atrocities and there is nothing wrong in them seeking a resurrection of temples destroyed by invaders.
"Mohan Bhagwat speaks according to his convenience. When he needed votes, then he kept speaking only on temples and is now saying Hindus should not look for temples," he said.
Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda also demanded that a list be prepared of temples destroyed by invaders and a survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India to ensure that their glory is restored. "Hindus have faced several atrocities. Temples were destroyed. If Hindus want that such temples be resurrected, there is nothing wrong with it," he added.
