Former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan has strongly criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his recent remarks on Sanatana Dharma during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage, calling them an insult to Hindu faith and the legacy of the Sivagiri Mutt.
Speaking to media, Muraleedharan stated:
“Pinarayi Vijayan insulted Sanatana Dharma at the holy land of Shivigiri. By doing this, the Chief Minister has insulted the Sivagiri Mutt and the Hindu community.”
He further accused Vijayan of continuing what he described as “propaganda” against Sanatana Dharma, referencing earlier statements by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. Muraleedharan added:
“Pinarayi’s statement is a continuation of Udayanidhi Stalin’s statement that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated. V. Muraleedharan also asked whether the chief minister dares to say something like this about the Holy Quran or any other faith.”
Muraleedharan alleged that the Hindu community in Kerala has faced significant challenges under Vijayan’s leadership, citing controversies surrounding Sabarimala and Thrissur Pooram. He also rejected attempts to portray Sree Narayana Guru as opposed to Sanatana Dharma.
“People of Kerala will reject the communist propaganda that makes Sree Narayana Guru an enemy of Sanathan Dharma. The Hindu community has moved forward by recognizing the ultimate truth of Sanatana Dharma and correcting its shortcomings,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned Vijayan’s remarks and accused him of “insulting Hinduism to secure extremist votes.” Poonawalla also challenged Vijayan to make similar comments about other religions.
Vijayan’s Remarks:
Addressing the Sivagiri Pilgrimage earlier, Vijayan described Sanatana Dharma as closely linked to the caste-based Varnashrama Dharma. He argued that this system glorifies hereditary professions, which contrasts with the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru. Vijayan stated:
“Sanatana Dharma is synonymous with or inseparable from the Varnashrama Dharma, which is based on the Chaturvarna system. What does this Varnashrama Dharma uphold? It glorifies hereditary professions. But what did Sree Narayana Guru do? He called for defiance of hereditary professions. How, then, can Guru be an advocate of Sanatana Dharma?”
Vijayan emphasized the Guru’s stance against caste-based hierarchies, citing his philosophy of “One Caste, One Religion, One God for humankind.”
This debate underscores the ideological clash between Kerala’s leftist government and the BJP on issues of faith and social reform, with both sides seeking to assert their narratives around Sree Narayana Guru’s legacy and Sanatana Dharma.