Sanatana DharmaNCP-SCP MLA Jitendra Awhad made strong statements against Sanatan Dharma while speaking to the media on Saturday. “Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There was never a religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma,” Awhad said.
The four-time MLA added that Sanatan Dharma was responsible for denying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation and for defaming Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He also alleged that its followers tried to assassinate social reformer Jyotirao Phule.
“They threw cow dung and filth at Savitribai Phule. This Sanatan Dharma conspired to kill Shahu Maharaj. It did not allow Dr B.R. Ambedkar to drink water or attend school. Ambedkar opposed Sanatan Dharma, burned the Manusmriti and rejected its traditions,” he added.
Jitendra Awhad said that people should not hesitate to call Sanatan Dharma and its ideology perverted.
Awhad began his political career in the 1980s as a student activist during anti-fee hike protests. He later rose through the ranks of the Congress’s student wing, NSUI and served as a Member of the Legislative Council from 2002 to 2008.
He was elected to the Assembly in 2009 and has retained his seat since then. Awhad has served as a minister in both the Congress-NCP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi governments. He held portfolios such as Housing, Medical Education, Minority Development, and Aukaf.
Awhad holds a PhD in socio-religious movements and belongs to the OBC Vanjari community. In 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad claimed that there was a plot by extremists to target him. Awhad has used this claim in his political messaging.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court earlier this year refused to entertain three writ petitions seeking criminal action against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his 2023 remarks on ‘Sanatana Dharma’.
The petitions, filed by B Jagannath, Vineet Jindal, and Sanatan Suraksha Parishad, alleged that Stalin’s speech amounted to hate speech and hurt religious sentiments.
A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Prasanna B Varale questioned the maintainability of the petitions under Article 32. Following this, the petitioners withdrew the pleas with the liberty to seek other legal remedies.
Recently, Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad made controversial remarks stating that Sanatana Dharma has “ruined India” and is not a religion, but an ideology that has historically caused oppression and social inequality. These comments sparked a sharp reaction from the BJP and other groups, igniting a fresh political row in Maharashtra,
according to Livemint.
Accusations against Sanatana Dharma
Awhad’s core argument is that Sanatana Dharma, which he describes as an ideology rather than a religion, has historically been used to justify social hierarchy and discriminate against marginalized groups. He cited historical examples to support his claims, including the denial of coronation rights to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the defamation of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and the alleged attempts to assassinate Jyotirao Phule. He also claimed that followers of this ideology mistreated Savitribai Phule, who championed women’s education, and denied Dr. B.R. Ambedkar the right to drink water or attend school. He stated that it was Ambedkar who ultimately rejected and burned the Manusmriti, which he saw as a representation of this oppressive ideology.
Counter-arguments and reactions
Awhad’s statements triggered immediate condemnation from the BJP and other leaders, who accused him of making politically motivated and ill-informed remarks. BJP leaders like Ram Kadam argued that the comments stemmed from an incomplete understanding of scriptures and were aimed at appeasing certain communities. Others, like Shaina N.C., called Awhad’s statements “ill-educated and preposterous”, accusing him of promoting caste divisions under the guise of reform. They emphasized that Sanatana Dharma, far from being a divisive ideology, advocates for harmony, tolerance, and respect for all. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra attacked the broader “Congress ecosystem,” including NCP-SP, for repeatedly denigrating Sanatana Dharma and using terms like “Hindu terrorist” or “Sanatan terrorist” to target the majority community,
according to NDTV.
A contentious political discourse
The debate surrounding Sanatana Dharma and its role in Indian society is not new and reflects a deeper ideological divide within the country’s political landscape. Some argue that Sanatana Dharma embodies a rich philosophical tradition emphasizing universal values, while others point to historical instances of caste-based discrimination and social exclusion that they believe are rooted in its interpretations. This ongoing discussion is intertwined with issues of caste, social justice, and national identity in India, with each side presenting its own historical and philosophical perspectives to support its claims. These remarks by Awhad came after the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, which was sometimes referred to as an act of “saffron terror,” reigniting a contentious discourse on the topic.
While the debate continues to rage, it is important to remember that such strong statements have the potential to further polarize the political discourse and deepen existing social fault lines. It remains to be seen how this recent controversy will play out and whether it will contribute to constructive dialogue or further fuel ideological divisions.
– Ends
Published By:
Shipra Parashar
