Mathura, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Religious orator and 'Katha Vachak' Aniruddhacharya on Friday criticized Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Manusmriti, accusing him of repeatedly targeting and insulting Sanatan Dharma.
Speaking to IANS, Aniruddhacharya also extended greetings to people on the occasion of Janmashtami and said the significance of the festival had remained unchanged even though the ways of celebrating it had evolved over time.
“Now, whoever gets time, they get involved in the celebrations in their own way,” he said.
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's reference to the Manusmriti at the 'Chattron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, Aniruddhacharya questioned the Congress leader's understanding of the ancient Hindu text.
“If you don't understand Manusmriti, then why are you getting into it? If you study Manusmriti, then you will get the knowledge of Dharma,” he said.
He also questioned Rahul Gandhi over issues including triple talaq, burqa and halala, asking whether these practices were related to women's respect.
“He does not speak about any of these issues. He only targets Sanatan and keeps insulting Sanatan,” Aniruddhacharya said.
He urged Rahul Gandhi to read the Manusmriti, claiming that the ancient text itself emphasizes respect for women.
“He does not have anything to do with Sanatan so he will target and insult it, whereas it is in Sanatan Dharma that women have been given the status of 'Goddess',” he said.
“Are women worshiped in such a way in any other religion? Someone should explain this to Rahul Gandhi,” he added.
Asked about the appointment of retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as the first CEO of the Ram Temple Trust, Aniruddhacharya welcomed the move and expressed hope that the new trustees would discharge their responsibilities honestly.
“It is good. Now that he has been given the responsibility, he will work with honesty. This is my hope and prayer to God — that all of them (the new Trustees) work with honesty,” he said.
On the ongoing debate over reservation, Aniruddhacharya said the system should not be abolished but argued that its benefits should be directed towards those who remain economically disadvantaged.
“As long as a person is in need, he or she should be given support. But after they have studied, started earning and become ministers, they no longer need that support. Now it should be given to the poor,” he said.
He added that people living below the poverty line should receive support because they were the ones who genuinely needed it.