Hindu dharma being distorted, says Modi
In a scathing attack on a section of media, chief minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday blamed the media for "meticulously ignoring India’s cultural values".

Speaking at a public function organised by Kanchi Kamakoti math to celebrate 50th Peetharohana Swarna Jayanti Mahotsava of Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati here, Mr Modi said.

"It is good that we highlight the beatification of Mother Teresa. Thousands of Hindu saints like Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati have been spreading the message of religion and good will since last 50 years by working in different parts of the country. But their efforts never get highlighted," he added.

Mr Modi said unfortunately there has been a trend among a section of Hindus to feel ashamed of their own religion. "This class of society is trying to propagate anti-Hindu ideologies thereby, harming the society.".

The chief minister said though statues, roads, various developmental schemes for the poor are named after politicians, the saints are the main contributors for building a modern India.

He also referred to the works of saints in the medieval period, the post-1857 period and their role in the Indian renaissance.

Mr Modi said the Kanchi Shankaracharya has been working for the last 50 years in the spread of Hindu dharma and is involved in social activities. The math at Kanchi has also contributed immensely for the spread of education in the society, he added.

In his speech Jayendra Saraswati called upon the people to take up religion in its true sense. "In today’s world it is easy to get a mass following but difficult to find real followers of the religion in letter, word and spirit like Lord Ram." He advised people to make Lord Ram as their ideal and follow him.

Shankaracharya informed that the state government has given land to the math where a vedashala and gaushala will be built. A school has already been built at the premises, he added.

Giving introduction of the Shankaracharya, general secretary of the math S. Shankar said Jayendra Saraswati has visited all parts of India thrice on foot. He is involved in about 500 trusts working for various social causes and he has completed 50 years of his tenure in Kanchi math in 2003, he added.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Swaminarayan sect was not able to attend the function due to poor health. However, he sent a written message. Law minister Ashok Bhatt, education minister Anandi Patel and minister of state for home Amit Shah were present at the function.

The Shankaracharya had visited Somnath on Wednesday morning to lay foundation stone for building an Adi Shankara temple.

Republished from The Asian Age