Vrindavan, 2017.07.27 (VT): Former NDA home minister, Chinmayananda Saraswati was in Vrindavan for Hariyali Teej. Speaking at the inauguration of Jhulan festivities at Fogla Ashram, former MP and minister, Swami Chinmayananda gave a positive view of the future under the BJP governments at the Center and in Uttar Pradesh.
He said, “National development is taking place in such a way that all Indian citizens, regardless of their community, benefit from it. Now that the BJP is solidly situated in Delhi with Modi as PM and with Adityanath Yogi in Lucknow, governing the largest state in India, they are firmly moving to place India as one of the leading nations in the world. It is the duty of all citizens to cooperate with the government and to become shareholders in the development.”
However, he pointed out that the Modi and Yogi governments are about more than just economic development. “It is about a spiritual renewal,” he said. “The BJP wants to protect and preserve the ancient Indian culture and its Sanatan Dharma. This is how India will be recognized as the spiritual guide for the rest of the world.”
Yogi Adityanath and Swami Chinmayananda have been close friends within the BJP for many years. Both are considered to be hardline Hindu-vadis.
“With Adityanath’s election, UP will now take a new direction. There is no sectarianism or communalism involved. Like PM Narendra Modi, development benefits everyone and the steps that Modi has taken on the economy and getting many governmental tasks put on-line are having a positive effect. Adityanath will know how to get along with everyone in order to help with economic development,” said the Swami.
“Now that Ram bhakts are in charge, the problems surrounding the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be removed. A government of Ram devotees will build a beautiful temple there. The building of the Ram temple will be the spark that lights India’s spiritual renewal. If it is necessary, the sants of Uttar Pradesh are ready to be activated in a movement to see the temple built.”
Under Rasacharya Swami Devakinandan Sharma’s direction the Jhulan festival was inaugurated by staging a performance of Krishna lila. Many devotees from different states joyfully relished the flavors of bhakti-rasa during the performance.
Swami Chinmayanand was born in Gonda district (UP) in 1947 in the Kalhams royal family, but inspired by the teachings of the Buddha and Mahavir he renounced any claims to royal status when still a young man. He completed an MA as well as a doctorate from Lucknow University.
He took sannyas in Haridwar in 1974 and established the Mumukshu Ashram in Shahjahanpur (UP). He also stays at the Paramarth Ashram in Haridwar. He first got involved in national politics through activism in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He was also director of the Ganga Raksha Samiti and national coordinator of the Ram Janma Bhoomi Sangharsha Samiti.
Then in 1991 he fought and won election to the Lok Sabha from the Jaunpur district seat. He won three elections as a member of the Lok Sabha and was the Union Minister of State for Home in the Third Ministry of Atal Bihari Bajpayee (2003-2004). He received the World Peace Award from Global Studies (USA) for getting the Bodo movement activists in Assam to lay down their arms.
He has now quit active politics and currently lives the life of a sannyasi in his ashram in Shahjahanpur and in Haridwar. Nevertheless, he makes frequent pronouncements on political matters, especially as related to religious matters such as the building of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
He is editor of two monthly Hindi magazines, Paramarth and Vivek Rashmi. He has written some books in Hindi on tantra, philosophy, yoga and Hindu mythology.
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