Pinarayi’s remark that Narayana Guru ‘reconstructed’ Sanatana Dharma draws BJP criticism

The BJP has criticised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for saying that social reformer Sree Narayana Guru had reconstructed Sanatana Dharma, claiming that Vijayan disrespected Hinduism in order to attract "extremist" support.

Addressing a meeting in connection with the annual pilgrimage to Guru's Sivagiri mutt in Varkala, Vijayan stated on Tuesday that there was an attempt to portray Guru as a proponent of Sanatana Dharma, Indian Express reported.

“He challenged the Varnashrama system and reconstructed Sanatana Dharma. He upheld a secular humanistic worldview. Any attempt to confine that view within the framework of Sanatana Dharma will be an insult to Guru. His dharma is one that stands with the times and challenges Varnasharama. How can Narayana Guru, who propagated the concept of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’, be an advocate of Sanatana Dharma? There is an attempt to depict social reformer Guru as a religious leader and religious sanyasin,” the CM said.

V Muraleedharan, senior BJP leader from Kerala and former union minister responded, “Vijayan has insulted the entire Sree Narayaneeya community (Hindu Ezhava community, which is traditionally pro-Left). Vijayan is of the view that Sanatana Dharma is despicable. His comment is a continuation of the stand of DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin that Sanatana Dharma has to be eradicated. Will Vijayan have the courage to speak out against any other religion?”

Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP national spokesman told a news agency, “The new year has started, but their mindset is the same – to insult the Sanatana. The statement made by the Chief Minister of Kerala is part of a long series of statements made recently. The Left felt the Congress had overtaken them in vote bank politics, and to get back that extremist vote bank, they are making these kinds of abusive insults at the Hindu faith and Sanatana. Will they have the courage to say this against any other religion?”