Seers Urge Establishment of Sanatan Board at Dharm Sansad During Maha Kumbh Gathering

During the Maha Kumbh, a Dharm Sansad was convened where seers from various monastic orders advocated for the creation of a Sanatan Board. Jagadguru Vidya Bhaskar Ji Maharaj called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the Places of Worship Special Provisions Act. He argued that the law was enacted without consultation and aimed at protecting mosques built over demolished Hindu temples.

Jagadguru Vidya Bhaskar Ji Maharaj urged Prime Minister Modi to leverage his parliamentary majority to revoke the Places of Worship Act. He criticised the government for passing this legislation without any prior discussion. He stressed that preserving Sanatan Dharma is crucial for the survival of all living beings and emphasised the urgent need for a Sanatan Board to protect sanatanis.

Sanatan Board's Role in Safeguarding Culture

Nimbark Peethadheeshwar Shyam Sharan Devacharya, who presided over the Sanatan Dharma Sansad, stated that the Sanatan Board would not only protect Sanatan Dharma but also secure future generations. He highlighted the importance of preventing outsiders from infiltrating temples like Tirupati Balaji and corrupting faith. He warned that if no action is taken, India might lose its Hindu cultural identity, similar to Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bhutan.

ISKCON leader Gaurang Das Ji Maharaj underscored the necessity of a unified body for sanatanis. He questioned why organisations like CII and FICCI exist for industries and IMA for medicine, yet there is no equivalent body to protect and unite sanatanis. He emphasised that peace, security, and justice require all sanatanis to unite under the Sanatan Board's banner.

Concerns Over Cultural Erosion

Preacher Devkinandan Thakur linked the erosion of Sanatan culture to Macaulay's educational policies, which replaced Indian traditions with English language education. He expressed concern over a conspiracy to take over India through the Waqf Board. Thakur questioned why lands vacated by those who left for Pakistan are under Waqf Board control while there is no Hindu Board in Pakistan.

Thakur further questioned why a Waqf Board exists in India when similar boards do not exist in Pakistan or Bangladesh. He claimed that temples like Tirupati Balaji contribute Rs 500 crore annually to the government, which should instead support initiatives for Sanatan Dharma. He proposed that if a Sanatan Board is established, each temple would have its own gaushala, gurukul, and hospital, ensuring donations remain within Sanatan Dharma.

Support from Religious Leaders

The Sanatan Dharma Sansad witnessed participation from several saints and religious leaders who supported establishing the Sanatan Board. Among them were Chinmayanand Bapu from Haridwar, Mahamandaleshwar Ashutosh Nand Maharaj, Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj, Jain saint Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj, Hanuman Garhi's Mahant Raju Das, and Vallabhacharya Ji Maharaj from Ayodhya.

The call for a Sanatan Board reflects growing concerns about preserving cultural heritage and religious identity. The proposed board aims to unify sanatanis and safeguard their interests in an increasingly diverse society. The support from various religious leaders underscores the importance of this initiative in maintaining cultural continuity.