Asserting that India cannot become a Hindu nation as no one in the country is Hindu, Congress leader Phool Singh Baraiya has termed the ‘padayatra’ (foot march) of Bageshwar Dham’s Peethadheeshwar Dhirendra Krishna Shastri as “hooliganism”.
Shastri’s ‘padayatra’, which was targeted by Baraiya, would cover the distance of 160 km from Bageshwar Dham of Gadha village in Chhatarpur district to Orchha in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh.
Thousands of people are participating in the yatra, including leaders of BJP, Congress and other political parties of the country.
The event which is being talked about in the whole country, was put down by the Congress MLA, who represents Bhander city of Datia district in the state assembly.
Baraiya said Bageshwar Baba is doing hooliganism and fooling people on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Bageshwar Baba is doing all this to keep people in dark and to ensure that they remain fools as it would help Modi to enjoy power for longer time,” the Congress leader was quoted as saying.
When there are no Hindus in India, how can a Hindu nation be formed, Baraiya asked. “Those who rape daughters-in-law and daughters are also called Hindus. Those who do not allow people to go to temples are also called Hindus. Those who do not allow people to use water from common hand pumps are also called Hindus,” he said in sarcasm. Baraiya further added that he does not think there are any Hindus anywhere in India.
When asked about the statement of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh’s son and Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh on Hindu nation, he refused to comment. Actually, Jaivardhan Singh had joined Baba Bageshwar’s padayatra.
Baba Bageshwar has been continuously demanding to declare India a Hindu nation for years now. Apart from this, he has also been appealing to the people to end casteism. People from across India and abroad are participating in this padyatra also known as ‘Hindu Ekta Yatra’. People from Nepal, Mauritius, Britain, Auckland and Saudi Arabia will also be participating in the yatra, sources said.