iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
While a political slugfest has erupted in India over comments made on Sanatan Dharma by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, Craig Greenberg issued a proclamation declaring September 3 as Sanatan Dharma Day in the city. The announcement was made at the Hindu Temple of Kentucky in Louisville during celebrations of Maha Kumbha Abhishekam.
Spiritual leaders and government functionaries including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, and several others along with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff Keisha Dorsey were present on the occasion.
The official proclamation was read by Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton Smith on behalf of Mayor Craig Greenberg during the Maha Kumbha Abhishekam. “The declaration is a testament to not only the spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbha Abhishekam event but also to the great, positive impact that the Hindu community has had in Louisville, in Kentucky and across the United States,” a news release stated.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati emphasized the great power and importance of Sanatan Dharma and Sanatan tradition. “It is so sad that in India some people are creating such negativity around Sanatan Dharma without realizing or understanding its value and depth, and yet here in America, in Louisville, Kentucky, we are celebrating the great declaration by the Government of a day dedicated to Sanatan Dharma!,” Swami said.
Swami was referring to the row in India over Sanatana Dharma remarks by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Udhayanidhi Stalin and Congress’s Priyank Kharge. A police complaint was registered in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur against Stalin and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge for allegedly outraging religious feelings. Stalin was booked for his call to eradicate Sanatana Dharma at an event in Tamil Nadu and Kharge for backing his remark, the complaint said. The comments sparked a backlash from political parties, with BJP insisting on the Congress to condemn his remarks. Priyank Kharge supported Stalin’s remark saying, “any religion that does not promote equality and does not ensure that you have the dignity of being a human is not a religion, according to me”.
