Two Shankaracharyas to campaign against Modi in Varanasi

Two Shankaracharyas have come out openly against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and decided to work for his defeat in Varanasi as they believe he is a “sinner”, for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Puri Shankaracharya Adhokshjanand Devtirath on Thursday said he would go to Varanasi and campaign against Modi for the May 12 elections. “I will go to Varanasi and expose him. Those who divide people to come to power should be exposed,” he said.

He said Modi had committed “sins” and no justice-loving person can ever “like” him. The Shankaracharya said he had himself gone to Gujarat and witnessed the situation after the 2002 riots. He charged the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh with using religion to “mislead” the people. He said it should come to the fore as a political organisation rather than a social-cultural body.

The Shankaracharya said BJP leaders were already issuing statements which were creating tension in the country. He said he would not campaign for any particular party but just wanted that secular parties should win.

Dwarka Shankaracharya Swaroopanand is also opposed to Modi and will be deputing his associate, Avi Mukteswaranand, to Varanasi to campaign against Modi, sources close to him said.

Modi is pitted against Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Congress candidate Ajai Rai in the holy city.