Thackeray should continue work for Hindu Dharma: Shankaracharya

Thane, Nov 30 (UNI) Shankaracharya Sri Swami Swaroopananda Saraswati of the Sharada Peeth, Dwarka, today said Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has done a lot for the Hindu Dharma and should continue the good work in future.

Addressing a religious gathering at Ganeshpuri in the district, Swami Swaroopananda said while Mr Thackeray is doing a good work for the Hindu Dharma, his nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray is taking a wrong approach by concentrating only on Maharashtra and dwelling only on one language. ''There are 85 crore Hindus in India, who are in need of guidance. Though many people call themselves Hindus, their focus is not on Hindu Dharma.

We want someone from Maharashtra, whose leadership makes the entire India proud and who works for the Hindu Dharma.'' Speaking on the alleged involvement of Hindu outfit members in the September 29 Malegaon blast case, he said, ''We are from Sanatan Dharma, we are Hindus. If somebody attacks us, we face it openly. We are not cowards. It is not in our Dharma to kill elders, children and people, who are unwell.'' He said that the river Ganga should be purified for the protection of marine life and also for making it drinkable for the crores of people, who live on its banks.

Swami Swaroopananda said that Ganeshpuri in Thane district should be developed as a place of meditation, instead of converting it into a place of miracles.

He also advised the Advisis present in the gathering against religious conversion, for want of a good standard of living.

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