A ‘spiritual strife’ between Swaminarayan sect, other Hindu outfits in Gujarat

Battle of superiority in Gujarat between powerful Swaminarayan sect and other Hindu outfits. Sect's literature and speeches seen as disrespectful of Hindu gods and goddesses. Sect wields political and economic power, while other Hindu religious seers and priests have grouped together to oppose them. Resolution passed to boycott sect and dismiss anyone from it holding positions in Hindu organisations.

The religious leaders at the Shri Kashtbhanjan Dev Hanumanji mandir in Salangpur, Botad district, managed by the Swaminarayan sect’s Vadtal branch, on Tuesday removed two controversial murals of Lord Hanuman kneeling before and praying with folded hands to the 19th century seer Sahajanand Swami (1781-1830), founder of the sect, known by his followers as Lord Swaminarayan.

However, the controversy that erupted about a week ago has become a larger dispute between the Swaminarayan sect that wields political and economic power and other Hindu outfits in Gujarat.

The panel had been installed in the temple thronged by thousands daily, on the pedestal of a 54-foot-tall statue of Hanuman during its inauguration in April by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It triggered widespread protests by several Hindu religious seers and priests, who have now grouped together under the banner of Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, and refer to themselves as Sanatana Dharma followers.

On Saturday, a local man, Harshad Gadhvi, was captured on camera, smearing a black pigment and hitting the murals with an axe. He was arrested and released on bail on Monday.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a meeting in Ahmedabad on Monday with the leaders of Swaminarayan Vadtal, community leaders, and seers of other Hindu organisations. A later meeting between the two factions was followed by an announcement that the contentious murals would be removed and that nobody from the Swaminarayan sect would make any disparaging or derogatory remarks against the Hindu gods and goddesses.

A day before, on Sunday, a meeting was held in Sanand, Ahmedabad district, at which religious figures of various temples and other organisations decided to boycott the Swaminarayan sect.

On the same day, a similar meeting at the Salangpur temple saw RSS leader Ram Madhav’s presence. A press release was issued by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha thereafter, stating that the controversy would be resolved soon, and a committee of seers was formed to talk to the different stakeholders.