Shankaracharya supports Rahul Gandhi amid row over remarks on Hinduism
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Swami Avimukteshwarananda, the 46th Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, has come forward in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following a contentious speech in the Lok Sabha.
The controversy erupted during the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the President's address when Rahul Gandhi accused BJP leaders of dividing people along communal lines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi countered by accusing Gandhi of labeling the "entire Hindu community as violent," which led to a heated exchange in Parliament and the Speaker striking several contentious statements from the records.
The Shankaracharya, a highly respected figure among Hindus, offered a different interpretation of Gandhi's speech. "We listened attentively to Rahul Gandhi's entire speech. He unequivocally emphasizes that Hinduism rejects violence," he stated on Sunday.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the Shankaracharya criticized the selective presentation of Gandhi's speech and called for accountability for those who distort facts. "Presenting only fragments of Gandhi's statement is misleading and unethical," he remarked, adding that those responsible should be punished.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi's sister, also defended him against the allegations. "Rahul can never speak against Hindus. His remarks were directed at BJP and its leaders," she said.