Religious Leaders Weigh In on Thackeray-Shinde Rivalry

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Religious Leaders Weigh In on Thackeray-Shinde Rivalry

The Political Turmoil in Maharashtra and the Reactions of Religious Leaders

The political landscape of Maharashtra has been in a state of flux since June 2022, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray collapsed following a rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who split the Shiv Sena and formed a new government with the support of the BJP. This political upheaval has sparked reactions from various quarters, including religious leaders.

One such reaction came from Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who met with Uddhav Thackeray and expressed his support, calling him a "victim of betrayal." He emphasized the importance of "punya" (virtue) and "paap" (sin) in the Hindu religion, categorizing betrayal as a grave sin. He stated that the pain of betrayal would persist until Thackeray was reinstated as Chief Minister.

However, this statement by the Shankaracharya did not go down well with everyone. Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Mandi, criticized Swami Avimukteshwaranand for his words, accusing him of hurting the sentiments of the people by using derogatory words against Eknath Shinde. She argued that in politics, alliances and divisions are normal and constitutional, and questioned why a politician should not engage in politics.

Meanwhile, Juna Akhada's Mahant Narayan Giri countered Swami Avimukteshwaranand's statement, claiming that it was Uddhav Thackeray who betrayed Devendra Fadnavis by joining hands with the "vidharmis." He also criticized the Shankaracharya for attending the wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, stating that a Shankaracharya should not attend such events.

Adding to the criticism, Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi Temple questioned the Shankaracharya's silence on the Palghar sadhus lynching incident in 2020, while expressing concern for Uddhav Thackeray's political position. He also criticized the Shankaracharya for supporting leaders who made anti-Hindu comments.

These reactions from various religious leaders highlight the complex interplay between religion and politics in India. While some leaders have voiced their support for Uddhav Thackeray, others have criticized him and expressed their support for Eknath Shinde. The political turmoil in Maharashtra continues to unfold, and it remains to be seen how these reactions will impact the future of the state.