Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand of Jyotirmath has made a public declaration that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should no longer be regarded as a follower of the Hindu faith. This announcement follows Gandhi’s controversial remarks about the Manusmriti in Parliament, which the Shankaracharya claims amount to an insult to Hinduism.
The Shankaracharya stated that he had sought clarification from Rahul Gandhi regarding his statements and had even sent a formal letter, but after waiting for over three months without receiving any response, he concluded that Gandhi disrespects a key Hindu scripture. As a result, he declared that from this point forward, Rahul Gandhi will not be recognized as a Hindu.
Remarks on Manusmriti Spark Controversy
During a speech in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had expressed his rejection of the Manusmriti, saying he adheres to the Constitution instead. Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand argued that this statement reflects disdain for a text that many Hindus regard as part of their religious tradition. He clarified that while not all Hindus may follow Manusmriti strictly, most still accept it as part of their cultural and spiritual heritage.
He further emphasized that the scripture does not advocate for the protection of criminals, as alleged by Gandhi. According to the Shankaracharya, such claims are made to malign the text and, by extension, Hinduism itself.
Call for Exclusion from Hindu Practices
In his statement, the Shankaracharya urged Hindu priests and temples to refrain from conducting any religious rites for Rahul Gandhi. He also called for restricting his entry into Hindu temples and excluding him from all Sanatan Dharma religious events and rituals.
He added that many people have questioned whether Gandhi can even be considered a Hindu in the first place, especially given his silence over the past three months. “By publicly rejecting Manusmriti, he has distanced himself from the core tenets of the faith,” said the Shankaracharya.
Final Declaration
The Shankaracharya concluded by stating that just as legal systems allow for the exclusion of offenders from certain jurisdictions, religious communities too have the right to defend their principles. “In exercising our religious authority to protect dharma, we formally declare Rahul Gandhi as excluded from the Hindu faith,” he said, calling upon the Hindu community to act accordingly.
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