Narayan Guru Dispute: The ongoing political dispute in Kerala regarding Sree Narayana Guru and Sanatan Dharma has taken the form of sharp statements between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the opposition BJP. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that Narayana Guru was not a supporter of Sanatan Dharma, but challenged it and advocated ending caste-based discrimination. He described Sanatan Dharma as synonymous with “Varnashrama Dharma”, which was rejected by Narayana Guru.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that Narayana Guru gave the message of “one caste, one religion, one God”. He said that Narayan Guru was neither the spokesperson of Sanatan Dharma nor its follower but he was a saint who recreated Sanatan Dharma and declared a religion suitable for the new age.
BJP’s noise
BJP, which is searching for political ground in Kerala, has attacked Chief Minister Vijayan for his recent statements. BJP accused Vijayan of having a derogatory attitude towards Hindu religion. Former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan said that this statement is an insult to the Sri Narayaniya community. BJP is trying to woo the community by linking Narayan Guru’s legacy with Sangh Parivar and Hindu unity.
Congress reaction
Congress leader VD Satheesan said that Sanatan Dharma is a cultural heritage, which contains elements like Vedas, Upanishads and Advaita. He accused Vijayan of limiting Sanatan Dharma to the Sangh Parivar. Political motive behind the controversy.
BJP’s strategy
23% of the population of Kerala belongs to Sree Narayaniya and Ezhava castes. This community has traditionally supported leftist parties, but in recent years the BJP has started making inroads among them. The BJP increased its vote share between 2011 and 2016 with the support of the Nair and Ezhava communities. To strengthen this support, the party is trying to link Narayan Guru’s legacy with the Sangh ideology. Retaining the Ezhava and other OBC communities, who have been traditional supporters, is a challenge for the Left parties. Vijayan’s statement can be seen as an attempt to keep these voters on his side.
Let us tell you that caste equations and vote bank politics are the main reasons behind the politics going on in the name of Narayan Guru. Keeping in mind the Kerala Assembly elections next year, all political parties are trying to use Narayana Guru’s legacy in their favor.
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