Priests, monks: Hindu
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Scheduled caste monks and priests
Gujarat 2024
May 1, 2024: The Indian Express
The process, Shukla revealed, involved writing letters to regional heads of all temples and all Akhada Parishads in Gujarat from and 400 names were received.
The religious ceremony was performed by several spiritual leaders, including Mahant Ravindrapuri Maharaj, Chairman of All India Akhada Parishad; Mahant Harigiri Maharaj, General Secretary of All India Akhada Parishad, and Guardian of Juna Akhada International.
The title of mahamandaleshwar literally means “superior of great or numerous monasteries”. It is used by some Hindu monks representing a specific akhara or a sampradaya monastery for Sanyasis. They are next only to Shankaracharyas, as per the organisers, who head four Hindu mathas or monastic establishments. Traditionally, such posts have been held by religious leaders from so-called upper castes.
“The purpose to hold this event in a grand manner was the recognition and acceptance which we were aiming for the last six months. We realised that a lot of Dalits wanted to come to the mainstream but they were scared and their parents would say that they would not get recognition. So, we decided to hold a grand function where you would not hesitate in identifying yourself as a Dalit or from Scheduled Caste… and the biggest dharma guru will not stop you but honour you,” Rajesh Shukla, chief strategist of national intellectual advisory and main trustee of One More Chance, a non-profit, told The Indian Express. In what was described by organisers as a historic initiative towards equality in Indian society, the event was led by Shukla .
On reasons for organising the event in Ahmedabad, Shukla said, “This is the first time the All India Akhada Parishad is holding this kind of event. One advantage of organising this in a city like Ahmedabad is the posts of mahamandaleshwar — which is the highest after that of Shankaracharyas — is a value addition to the society. The purpose won’t be met if this was organised in Haridwar or any other place.”
Shamaldas Guru Mangaldas from Ghoghawadar in Rajkot’s Gondal taluka; Shamaldas Guru Premdas from Rajpara, Shihor in Bhavnagar; Kirandas Mohandas Bapu from Hadanagar in Bhavnagar and Krushnavadan Hariprasad Maharaj from Thangadh in Surendranagar are the four religious leaders who have been elevated as mahamandaleshwars.
The process, Shukla revealed, involved writing letters to regional heads of all temples and all Akhada Parishads in Gujarat from and 400 names were received. “Then we formed a committee where these names were scrutinised on finances, character, operations parameters and out of 400, six were selected. These were under observation for four months. On February 22, four were selected who were then trained,” he added.
Gujarat has reported, in the recent past, cases of atrocities against Dalits in several parts, including a groom not being allowed to ride a mare at his wedding, and a youth not allowed to keep a moustache. People from the community are often not allowed to visit the village temples.
Speaking on the conversions of Dalits to Buddhism, Shukla said, “It is a stop gap arrangement… instead create opportunities like Khelo India, Padhega India, Jago Nari. The pain point of social and economic recognition is being solved then why do you need to go there.”
Kamal Kumar Ojha, former director general of police, Gujarat; Amar Sable, former member of Parliament and BJP Vice-President; AK Mishra, chairman of Chanakya IAS Academy; Devang Dani, chairman, Ahmedabad Standing Committee, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Jatinbhai Patel, Deputy Mayor Ahmedabad and other dignitaries and delegates from different societies of Gujarat attended the event.
Rajesh Shukla stated that the initiative under ‘Samta Moolak Samaj’ is a transformative project dedicated to fostering equality and social justice within Indian society. “It is being kickstarted from Gujarat and will be followed in other states in the coming days.”
Led by a coalition of visionary leaders and spiritual figures, Amar Sable emphasised, the project seeks to dismantle caste-based barriers and promote inclusivity within Sanatan Dharma, aligning with the constitutional mandate of a Republic where every individual is treated with dignity and equality. “It is something that was beyond anyone’s imagination that a 1,300-year-old tradition will end and a new era for a better society will commence,” he asserted.
