Hinduism has solutions to all problems in the world, BJP president Amit Shah said Sunday as he appreciated efforts of Pramukh Swami, head of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purshottam Sanstha (BAPS) — a Swaminarayan sect, for reviving the “tradition of sainthood”.
Shah was speaking at a function here to launch Transcendence, a book written by former president A P J Abdul Kalam. The book is about Kalam’s experiences with Pramukh Swami, BAPS’ services to society, co-relation of science and spirituality and creative leadership.
However, neither Kalam nor Pramukh Swami was present at the event.
Others who attended the function included Governor O P Kohli, his Karnataka counterpart Vajubhai Vala, Gujarat ministers Bhupendra Chudasama and Saurabh Patel, and Padma awardees architect B V Doshi & heart surgeon Tejas Patel.
Shah, during his around 10-minute address in Gujarati, likened Pramukh Swami with Adi Shankaracharya for reviving the tradition of sainthood in more “difficult times”.
Shah said, “I believe that Adi Shankaracharya a very difficult time brought in place scientific system. And when that system of akhadas started diminishing, Pramukh Swami Maharaj did the task of giving new strength to the system of sant, sadhu and sanyasi through Bochasanwasi Sanstha.” “I believe that at a time when the sainthood tradition was in a bigger problem — bigger than the times of Adi Shankaracharya, Bapa (Pramukh Swami) revived it.”
Lauding Pramukh Swami, Shah said: “I am not saying this because I am a Hindu, but solutions to all problems of the world are there in the Hindu religion. And in that (Hinduism) Pramukh Swami’s work to revive sainthood will surely be written on a golden page…”
In his speech, the BJP president also referred to the two years when he was an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case case, without naming the case. He called those two years as “kaalkhand”, and said during that period he visited almost all religious places outside Gujarat.
During the function, Kohli and Vala also delivered speeches.
Source : Indian Express
