Maharaj Aniruddhacharya, a prominent spiritual leader and storyteller in India, has sparked controversy with derogatory remarks about the Dalit community, igniting outrage and calls for an apology.
Aniruddhacharya, known for his large following and influence in religious circles, made controversial statements during one of his discourses. In a viral video, the spiritual leader made offensive comparisons and used derogatory language while discussing inter-caste marriages and the concept of varna (caste system).
मेरी तरफ से इस कुत्ते आदमी कों जब तक जूते मारो तब फट ना जाए 😡😡 pic.twitter.com/A5xUDrhXxe
— दिव्या कुमारी (@divyakumaari) July 18, 2024
In the viral video, Aniruddhacharya said, “Ashoka married Brahmins to Brahmins and Kshatriya to Kshatriya and Shudra to Shudra, what about a pig? Can a lion be born from it? Then there is a sex worker with no rules and you are the daughter-in-law of a good family, tomorrow you will become a mother, the girl is a Brahmin and the father is a Shudra. What name will you give to your child? Will he be called a Brahmin or a Shudra, tell me, is he a complete Brahmin or is he completely pure, that’s it.”
Who is Aniruddhacharya?
Aniruddhacharya, born on September 27, 1989, in Revjha village of Siroha tehsil, Madhya Pradesh, is a prominent spiritual leader and religious storyteller in India. His birthplace, Rinvjha, is just 9 kilometres from Lord Vishnu Varaha’s city, a fact his followers emphasize to highlight his spiritual connection.
From a young age, Aniruddhacharya showed a keen interest in spiritual matters, immersing himself in the study of religious texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. His daily visits to the Shri Radha Krishna temple in his village are often cited as evidence of his early devotion.
According to his official website, Aniruddhacharya is described as “Pujya Shri Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj, carrying the flag of Sanatan Dharma, a prominent social worker and servant of humanity who changes the lives of millions of people all over the world by connecting them with devotion to Lord Gauri Gopal and service, culture and values through his nectar-like speech.” The website claims that he has transformed the lives of millions through his teachings and devotional practices.
Aniruddhacharya comes from a traditional cow-devotee family, and serving cows has been integral to his life. Even today, he finds peace in their company. It’s said that during his younger days, he would carry copies of the Hanuman Chalisa and Gita while grazing cows, reciting the texts and encouraging others to do the same.
Despite financial challenges in his childhood, Aniruddhacharya remained determined to pursue education. Although he couldn’t finish formal schooling, he continued to learn and grow. He travelled to Vrindavan to study Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures under Guru Sant Giraj Maharaj as a child.
After finishing secondary school, Aniruddhacharya started teaching Sanatan Dharma following his guru’s path. He shared his knowledge through Bhagwat Katha on platforms like YouTube and TV, gaining popularity for his storytelling and religious text interpretation, and amassing a massive social media following.
Aniruddhacharya’s YouTube channel has over 14.4 million subscribers, generating substantial revenue. He reportedly dedicates a significant portion of this income to charitable causes and the betterment of people. Through his Bhagwat Katha, he claims to have influenced many to embrace Hinduism and lead a righteous life.
Social media outrage and apology
The recent comment has caused a significant backlash on social media, with many users expressing anger and disappointment over Aniruddhacharya’s remarks. Critics argue that his statements promote caste-based discrimination and go against equality and social justice.
One Twitter user said, “It’s shocking to hear regressive and casteist remarks from a spiritual leader in the 21st century. Aniruddhacharya must apologize and retract his statements. Such rhetoric has no place in our society.”
आप अपने ज्ञान का प्रचार कर रहे हैं उन्हीं लोगों के बीच बैठकर जिनकी आप बुराई भी कर रहे हैं, आपके विचारों को हर जाति के लोग सुन रहे हैं जब आपका शरीर आपका साथ छोड़ देगा उस वक्त एक शुद्र आपको जब अस्पताल पहुंचाएगा तब आपका जीवन जरूरी होगा या किसी ब्राह्मण का होना ही आपकी जान बचा पाएगा. https://t.co/HkHJSfxGdM
— अमर आत्मा (@Rudrakshi__12) July 19, 2024
Another social media user commented, “You are propagating your knowledge by sitting among the same people whom you are speaking ill of, people of every caste are listening to your views, when your body will give up on you, then a Shudra will take you to the hospital, then your life will depend on whether only the presence of a Brahmin will be able to save your life.”
मुझे तो ये आदमी सनकी लगता है इसका भी आशा राम वाला हाल होगा किसी दिन ये फिर कभी बाहर आकर ढोंग नही कर पायेगा ये खुले आम समाज को भेद भाव करने के लिए उकसा रहा है ढोंगी बाबा कृष्ण का भेष बनाकर बैठा है? https://t.co/l503xdCQFH
— Narender sh (@narendersh1973) July 18, 2024
The controversy has reignited discussions about caste discrimination in India and the role of religious leaders. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the need for greater awareness and sensitivity regarding caste-related matters in Indian society.
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