Saints demand ‘Hindu Rashtra’ as the Chhattisgarh padyatra comes to an end.
The month-long padyatra (footmarch) of the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti throughout Chhattisgarh concluded on Sunday at a Raipur city ground with a demand for “Hindu Rashtra” (Hindu country).
The padyatra is considered an attempt by the BJP and right-wing groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to polarise and solidify Hindu votes in the state before of the Assembly elections.
Swami Avdheshanand Giri, speaking from the stage, remarked, “The day Hindus become kattar (hardcore), the portals of peace and reconciliation will open.”
Another Chitrakoot saint, Rajiv Lochan, stated, “Hindu Rashtra would begin in Chhattisgarh and expand worldwide.” Some people were converted back to Hinduism at the occasion, which they dubbed “ghar wapsi” (returning home).
“During the month-long padyatra, over 200 sant and sadhus (saints) toured villages in all districts of Chhattisgarh along the main roadways and conveyed the message of Hindu pride. They discussed the significance of Hindu Rashtra, stating that we are all Hindus first and foremost and that it transcends all castes. “We need to band together to fight conversion,” said Acharya Rakesh, 32, deputy president of Chhattisgarh Sant Samiti. He stated that while the event was organised with the assistance of the VHP, they were not affiliated with any political party.
