Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Monday criticised religious leader Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, over his calls for declaring India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Speaking at a press conference in Darbhanga, Prashant emphasised that the country is governed by the Constitution, not by religious figures.
Responding to a query about Shastri’s recent visit to Gopalganj, where he reportedly called for a constitutional amendment to declare India a Hindu nation, Prashant stated, “The country is run by the principles laid down in the Constitution and not according to the diktats of babas. Of course, all have the freedom to express their views in a democracy. But it must be remembered that laws governing the country are framed in Parliament, the members of which are elected by the people. Things are not decided in discourses (darbar) of babas”, as quoted by news agency PTI.
He also downplayed the support some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have extended to Dhirendra Shastri’s views, suggesting that their stance is politically motivated. “The Constitution, which has been guided by the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi, clearly states that India shall be a secular country. The words of a Baba do not carry greater weight than Gandhi,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Prashant remarked, “In last year’s Lok Sabha polls, the people of the country reaffirmed their faith in the Constitution. No wonder Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah keep saying day in and day out that they are bound by the Constitution. If zealots in the BJP have the courage, let them speak in favour of Hindu Rashtra inside Parliament.”
‘Baap Ka Raaj Hai?’: Prashant Kishore On BJP MLA’s ‘Muslims Should Stay Indoors’ On Holi Remark
Prashant also criticised BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur Bachaul for his remarks advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi and not disrupt celebrations by offering Friday namaz outside. “Is it the rule of the BJP MLA’s father (baap ka raaj)? Does he think of himself as a Laat Saheb who can issue decrees? It is only the people themselves who can decide whether or not to step outside homes on any day,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
Speaking on the political landscape in Bihar, Prashant claimed that Muslims in the state were turning towards his party. “Muslims of Bihar are looking at our party with a lot of hope. They are fed up with the RJD, which has for years sought their votes with the bogus promise of stopping the BJP. The community has been used like fuel to keep the lantern (RJD’s poll symbol) burning bright,” he asserted.
