Jitendra Awhad, MLA of NCP-Sharad Pawar faction, gave a big and controversial statement on Sanatan Dharma on Saturday. He said that there was never any thing called Sanatan Dharma and this ideology has been a big reason for the fall of India.

‘Sanatan Dharma ruined India’- Awhad

Awhad said, ‘Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There was never any religion that should be called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hinduism. This was the so -called Sanatan Dharma that stopped the coronation of our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This Sanatan Dharma maligned our Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Fule couple accused of atrocities

He further said that in the name of this religion, many great reformers of the society were tortured. ‘The followers of Sanatan Dharma tried to kill Jyotirao Phule. He threw cow dung and dirt at Savitribai Phule. This Sanatan Dharma was plotting to assassinate Shahu Maharaj.

Referring to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Awhad said, ‘It did not allow Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar to drink water and study in school. Babasaheb Ambedkar later raised his voice against this Sanatan Dharma, burnt Manusmriti and turned down its repressive traditions. The author of Manusmriti also came out of this Sanatani tradition.

‘No need to be afraid to tell the truth’- Awhad

He clearly said that in today’s time these things should be said openly. He said, ‘We should not be afraid to openly say that Sanatan Dharma and its Sanatani ideology are distorted.’

After this statement by Awhad, there has been a stir in political and religious circles. Both protests and support about the statement are coming out on social media. Now it has to be seen what response comes from the BJP and the Sangh Parivar on this statement.