Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that in the event of war, even sadhus and sannyasis should be prepared to take up arms for the nation and for dharma, and that dharma should never be given up for money. He was addressing the centenary celebrations of the Kashi branch of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
Mr. Adityanath said the Sangha had held firm to its principles through every hardship. He recalled that Swami Pranavananda Maharaj founded the Kashi branch in 1926, during British rule, and travelled the country awakening the spirit of freedom and working to build awareness among Hindus. The organisation now runs service programmes in India and abroad, he noted.
When the nation faces a crisis, he said, its culture, dharma and history are also endangered. Referring to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya and the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, he asked whether the Kashi temple would have been destroyed had foreign invaders not prevailed, and whether what he termed symbols of slavery would have stood for 500 years at the Ayodhya and Mathura sites.
Worship, the Chief Minister said, is not limited to lighting lamps and incense. He cited the tradition of worshipping Goddess Bhagavati with weapons, adding that such arms are not mere ornaments and must be ready for use when the country needs defending.
Turning to West Bengal, Mr. Adityanath alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had intimidated the Sangha’s monks, and said that threats in the manner of Ravana and Kansa were a sign of political decline. He said Sangha monks used to meet him at election rallies and, though initially reluctant to come on stage, joined him once invited.
He also lauded the Sangha’s welfare work, including the distribution of sewing machines to poor girls, and urged it to continue such initiatives during the centenary year and to invite eminent personalities to its events.