Kangana Ranaut Defends Eknath Shinde, Criticizes Shankaracharya's Support for Uddhav Thackeray
In a series of posts on social media, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has come out in strong support of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati's claim that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was a "victim of betrayal."
Ranaut argued that political alliances and party divisions are normal and constitutional, citing examples from the history of the Congress party. She questioned the Shankaracharya's criticism of Shinde, stating that in politics, politicians are expected to engage in political activities.
Furthermore, Ranaut invoked religious principles, claiming that betrayal is considered a grave sin in Hinduism. She criticized the Shankaracharya for using derogatory words against Shinde and accusing him of being a traitor.
The controversy stems from the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray in June 2022. Eknath Shinde's rebellion and subsequent alliance with the BJP led to the formation of a new government, with Shinde becoming the Chief Minister.
The Shankaracharya's support for Thackeray has drawn criticism from other religious leaders. Juna Akhada's Mahant Narayan Giri accused Thackeray of betraying Devendra Fadnavis and joining forces with "vidharmis." He also criticized the Shankaracharya for attending the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, questioning the appropriateness of such an event for a religious leader.
Similarly, Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi Temple condemned the Shankaracharya for his silence on the Palghar sadhus lynching incident in 2020. He questioned the Shankaracharya's concern for Thackeray's political position while ignoring the horrific attack on the sadhus.
The controversy highlights the complex interplay between politics and religion in India, with religious leaders often taking stances on political issues, sometimes drawing criticism from other religious figures.