BHUBANESWAR: (4/11) The Shankaracharya informed that he along with thousands of devotees would conduct a `parikrama' at the Rama Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on November 30. He said, there is no confusion about the fact that Lord Rama took birth there
There should be, and there is, no restriction on entry of dalits into temples, Swami Swarupananda Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Dwaraka Peetha, said on Friday.
He, however, has reservations on persons belonging to other religions and foreigners entering the Hindu places of worship.
“Kahin bhi daliton ke liye prabesh nishedh nehin hai aur unhe roka nehi jaa raha hai,” the Shankaracharya told media persons here on Friday, when queried about a recent incident in Kendrapara where dalits were allegedly not allowed into a temple.
The seer said lakhs of devotees throng Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri but none is asked about his/her caste or status in the society. He, however, said that no one barring the priests who conduct rituals should be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum of the deity.
“Not even a Shankaracharya should be allowed into that restricted area. Beyond that point, a harijan has as much access as the Shankaracharya himself. So far as equality is concerned in temples, there is no controversy at all,” he said.
He, however, did not mince any word when it came to the issue of people from other religions, Buddhists and foreigners seeking entry into Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Not long ago, a Thai princess was denied entry into Puri temple triggering a debate on the issue.
Asked, if he endorsed the practice, he said, those who don't believe in Hinduism, have no business to be in the temples because the deities are not exhibits, the Dwaraka Shankaracharya said.
To a question if he considered Iskcon devotees Hindu, he shot back, saying “Ask them if they consider themselves Hindu.”
Stating that everyone is born Hindu, the seer was of the view that there should be a complete ban on conversion. Those who resort to conversion by luring people with jobs, health facilities and financial benefits, are causing harm to their own religion. It is ethically wrong and morally incorrect to take advantage of others, he said.
“However, if we don't go to the poor, downtrodden and tribals to help them, this problem can not be addressed,” he said.
Slamming indirectly the activities of the Christian missionaries, Jagadguru said Indian was the identity of Hindus and all should keep it in mind and work on it, he said adding unless and until, the Hindus were united against the evil designs of the missionaries, it was too difficult the retain the Hindu image and identity of the country.
"Saugandh Ram ki khate hain, Mandir wahin banayenge, Ram lala hum ayenge Mandir bhabya banayange," he told a Press meet here. "I have decided to parikrama the Ram Janmabhoomi site along with my disciples on November 30 and take stock of the situation,'' the Sankaracharya said.
Expressing deep concern over the increase in conversion by the missionaries, Jagadguru said no one should try to convert the poor and deprived sections of the society by convincing them or luring them with money and shelter.
"Saugandh Ram ki khate hain, Mandir wahin banayenge, Ram lala hum ayenge Mandir bhabya banayange," he told a Press meet here. "I have decided to parikrama the Ram Janmabhoomi site along with my disciples on November 30 and take stock of the situation,'' the Sankaracharya said.
Expressing deep concern over the increase in conversion by the missionaries, Jagadguru said no one should try to convert the poor and deprived sections of the society by convincing them or luring them with money and shelter.
Poor and Adivasis have been the most affected due to conversion. The Centre should ban the conversion programmes by the missionaries. The Shankaracharya of Jyoteepeeth and Dwarka, Swami Swaroopananda also said the BJP should stand by its commitment to build the Ram temple even if it meant losing power at the Centre.
"The temple should be built through a consensus and not through a movement for lack of public support could prove counterproductive," he pointed out. Criticising the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, 1992, the Shankaracharya also came down heavily on the Congress for its recent public apology to the Muslims on the issue.
In his criticism of the December 6 incident he expressed regret that during the incident the 14 pillars of the structure, which were proof of it being a temple were also demolished along with the structure. Senior BJP leader LK Advani met me over the issue and suggested me to jointly carry the Ram Mandir movement, he said.
"The temple should be built through a consensus and not through a movement for lack of public support could prove counterproductive," he pointed out. Criticising the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, 1992, the Shankaracharya also came down heavily on the Congress for its recent public apology to the Muslims on the issue.
In his criticism of the December 6 incident he expressed regret that during the incident the 14 pillars of the structure, which were proof of it being a temple were also demolished along with the structure. Senior BJP leader LK Advani met me over the issue and suggested me to jointly carry the Ram Mandir movement, he said.
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