Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the BJP govt of “humiliating seers and Shankaracharya and thereby showing disrespect to Sanatan Dharma and traditions”.“Seers and Shankaracharya are people’s pride and their disciples from all corners of the country and beyond come to seek their blessings as part of Sanatan traditions. The BJP govt is damaging these Sanatan traditions as seers and Shankaracharya are being deliberately subjected to humiliation and disrespect,” Akhilesh said.He added that the BJP govt was mistreating the Shankaracharya.“Govt officials must not treat Shankaracharya like this. The BJP govt is going against the Constitution, the law of the land and the tradition of brotherhood. No one is being respected in the govt,” the former UP CM said responding to media queries on Wednesday.“If an official (of govt) is asking for Shankaracharya’s testimonials and certificates, there cannot be a bigger insult to Sanatan Dharma. BJP govt has insulted saints, Sanatan Dharma, Shankaracharya, the Magh Mela and the nation. We will take blessings from all seers, saints and Shankaracharyas and serve the people,” he said. “Seers who tread the path of truth are real saints. Some people operate to suit the government, they are not true saints,” the SP president further said.He said the UP govt was adamant on doing everything that suits its interests.“They want to suppress the truth and people’s voice. Those who do not perform according to the whims and fancies of the BJP, they are harassed in different ways. They are served notices and even Enforcement Directorate and CBI are used against them,” the SP chief said.Manikarnika: SP submitsmemorandum to GuvLucknow: Samajwadi Party on Wednesday staged a protest outside the office of Lucknow district magistrate accusing the BJP govt of desecrating idols of deities and statue of 18th century Indore queen Ahilyabai Holkar during the renovation and redevelopment work underway at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.The protesting SP members submitted a memorandum to the DM addressed to the Governor demanding course correction. SP Backward Class wing district president Manoj Kumar Pal, who led the protest, said allegations that BJP bulldozers were used on Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar’s statue, were serious in nature and an act of gross disrespect towards the icon.“The incident has hurt the sentiments of crores of Indians. The issue must be impartially probed and along with the reconstruction of the ghat, Holkar’s statue must also be installed and penal action initiated against those responsible for this disregard towards the icons,” he said.
