Bengaluru: A group of 62 Hindu spiritual leaders, under the banner of Satya Dharam Samvad (SDS), have strongly criticised the divisive rhetoric propagated by controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand during the ongoing “World Religion Convention,” scheduled from December 17 to 21, 2024. Narsinghanand is known for extremely communal, sexist and violent statements. He has been arrested, but given bail as well, over earlier comments.
In their statement, the leaders condemned the Dharam Sansad event, calling it a deviation from the principles of Sanatan Dharma. They highlighted the dangers posed by provocative speeches targeting specific faiths, warning that such acts undermine Hinduism’s spiritual sanctity and threaten the unity and harmony of the nation, which thrives on diversity and interfaith coexistence.
Signatories of the statement include representatives from the Lingayat Community, Varkari Sampraday, The Purple Pandit Project, Vishwanath Mandir, School of Bhagavat Gita, and Balkram Mandir. The leaders collectively urged society to reject hate speech and promote interfaith understanding.
Earlier, retired civil servants were among petitioners who moved Supreme Court with a contempt petition against the Uttar Pradesh government for not taking steps to stop the congregation at Ghaziabad led by Narsinghanand, who has called for violence against Muslims several times before.
“As guardians of Hinduism’s profound and inclusive legacy, we are deeply troubled by the growing misuse of religion to foster hatred, division, and violence within our society,” the statement read. It further condemned gatherings, actions, or words promoting hatred, asserting that such behaviour is contrary to Hindu values and teachings.
“Unlike the provocative and exclusionary approach of Yati Narsinghanand’s Dharam Sansad, SDS stands committed to the tradition of samvad (dialogue) that seeks to unite rather than divide. SDS firmly believes that the essence of Sanatan Dharma lies in love, tolerance, and service to humanity. We encourage all spiritual and social leaders to join us in reaffirming these values and steering our communities toward peace and harmony,” the SDS said in the statement.
The leaders also expressed disapproval of the exploitation of religion for political or divisive agendas. They emphasised that Hinduism does not need to undermine other faiths to establish its strength, advocating for spiritual growth through introspection, compassion, and shared humanity.
The SDS called upon authorities to take decisive action against individuals manipulating religion for selfish or political purposes, ensuring justice and fairness prevail.
