BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj defends 'Sanatana' against Opposition's criticism

Oct 19, 2023

New Delhi [India], October 19 : Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secretary, Bansuri Swaraj, on Wednesday, took a dig at the opposition members of the INDIA alliance, saying that no one can "eradicate" Sanatana.
"The opposition talks about uprooting 'Sanatana,' uses indecent language to describe it, and sometimes compares 'Sanatana' with diseases. But as long as parents continue to bring their children to Ram Leela events and instil Sanatana values in them, nobody can eradicate Sanatana," Swaraj said while speaking to ANI.
The BJP leader attended a 'Ram Leela' event in Delhi.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the "eradication of Sanatana" while speaking at a public event, which received brickbats from several BJP leaders with the latter demanding an apology from his side.
Also, Prime Minister Modi took a jibe at the leaders of the INDIA alliance stating that the latter's goal is to "eradicate Sanatana".
The DMK is a partner in the INDIA alliance, formed to take on the BJP in the general polls in 2024.
Meanwhile, as the Navratri celebration has kicked off, people are celebrating the festival with great gusto.
Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi will be celebrated on October 24 with the culmination of Navratri.
In India, Navratri is celebrated in a wide range of ways. Ram Leela, a celebration in which scenes from the Ramayana are performed, is organised in various parts of the country. The burning of King Ravana's effigies marks the story's conclusion on Vijayadashami.
Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari attended a 'Ram Leela' event here in Delhi.
He said that the 'Ram Leela' events are a great way to convey Lord Ram's ideals to the public.
"We keep asserting that we have to build 'Ram-Rajya' in the country. Lord Ram was an ideal. This 'Ram Leela' event is a good way to convey Lord Ram's ideals to the public", Gadkari said.
The 9-day-long festival of Shardiya Navratri is intended for worshipping Maa Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. Navratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. Hindus observe a total of four Navratris throughout the year.
From Ashwin Shukla Paksha's Navami until the Pratipada, Shardiya Navratri is observed.
While it is celebrated with great fanfare across the nation, distinct traditions are more commonly practised in different states.