Jitendra Awhad sparks row, says 'Sanatan Dharma ruined India'; BJP MP Medha Kulkarni, Shiv Sena's Shaina NC hit back
'It has become a trend for the Opposition to criticise Sanatan Dharma... His saying that Sanatan Dharma is a perverted ideology distinct from Hindu Dharma shows you his lack of education, and he is responsible for caste oppression and social exclusion by making such preposterous comments,' Shaina NC told reporters.
Jitendra Awhad, on Sunday, made explosive statements claiming that 'there was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma,' and this 'so‑called Sanatan Dharma denied Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation.'
'The followers of this Sanatan Dharma tried to assassinate Jyotirao Phule. They threw cow dung and filth at Savitribai Phule. This very Sanatan Dharma conspired to kill Shahu Maharaj. It did not even allow Dr BR Ambedkar to drink water or attend school. It was Babasaheb Ambedkar who finally rose against Sanatan Dharma, burned the Manusmriti, and rejected its oppressive traditions,' news wire ANI quoted the NCP-SCP MLA as saying.
Apart from Shaina NC, Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai also hit back at Awhad's comments.
'What Jitendra Awhad said is not acceptable to me. Sanatan Dharma is a distinct ideology that advocates for harmony and tolerance... What he said is totally wrong,' said Desai.
BJP leader Ram Kadam said that Jitendra Awhad's comments are based on the MLA's 'incomplete study of the scriptures.'
'The statement by the leader of Sharad Pawar's faction is based on an incomplete study of the scriptures... Are you defaming Sanatan Dharma?... Will you now do this for your politics?... It is unfortunate that he (Jitendra Awhad) is making such statements solely for the politics of appeasement,' said the BJP leader.
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