All Four Shankaracharyas Call For Safety Of Hindus In Bangladesh, Puri Peeth Blames China For Instability

Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, whose position is contested in court, urged India to take strong steps to ensure the safety of Hindus in the violence-hit Bangladesh.

"Hindus must be protected in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government must not forget that thousands of Bangladeshis live in India," he told Republic in an interview.

"We request the government to provide land and security for them, and we will take care of their food and other requirements and won’t let the burden come on the government," he added.

Avimukteshwaranand asserted that Hindus should be ensured that India is the land for Hindus, and if they come from any part of the world, they will be welcomed.

He expressed solidarity with the Hindus of Bangladesh. This is similar to what the other three Shankaracharyas have said on the matter.

Kanchi Shankaracharya Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati has been doing special prayers for the restoration of peace and normalcy in Bangladesh after Hindus were attacked in the neighbouring country.

He appealed for peace and safety of the Hindus and stability in Bangladesh citing the presence of several historic temples including the Dhakeshwari Mandir, a shakti-peeth, and that a large number of Hindus live there.

Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand Saraswati expressed concern over the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh and urged to stop it immediately.

"Everything can be settled by establishing peace. Hindus are peace-loving people and when Hindus are safe, the country is safe. Such violence in Bangladesh is a conspiracy of China," he said.

"Mosques are being destroyed in China and Muslims being expelled from the country. Now, China is using Bangladesh to destabilise India. If Bangladesh fails to understand this, its existence will crumble into dust in the coming days," he added.

Dwarka Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati urged the governments of India and Bangladesh to sit down and discuss the situation of Hindus.

"The situation of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh is not good. What has been happening for the past 50 years is not right," he said referring to the persecution faced by Hindus in the Islamic countries.

"What is their fault? Why are they being selectively killed? Why are their temples being destroyed?" he questioned attacks on Hindus and asserted the opinions of the Shankaracharyas of all four Peeths are the same.

"A solution to this problem should be found soon. If not, it will become a norm that wherever Hindus live around the world, when problems arise, there will be no one to help them," he added.

As a message to Hindus across the country and the world, he urged them to do whatever they can to protect and uphold Sanatan Dharma wherever they are.

"In Bangladesh, there are still about 1.25 crore. Even with such a large number, when they are facing crises, it should be considered, and Muslims in India should also reflect on who is doing the killing there," he said.