The controversy surrounding the murals of Hanumanji at Sarangpur Temple in Gujarat is likely to see an amicable resolution with the meeting of the government and the saints of the Swaminarayan sect.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is presiding over the proceedings, while Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghvi is joining him.
Nearly 50 saints from the six primary temples of the Swaminarayan sect held a meeting and decided to hold the crucial meeting with the government. These saints represented temples in Vadtal, Junagadh, Dholera, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Garhda. Notably, saints from both the Acharya Paksha and Dev Paksha of the Swaminarayan sect were also in attendance.
The Sarangpur mural controversy has captured the attention and concern of a broad spectrum of society, reflecting the significance of the issue at hand.
A controversy has erupted in Gujarat over the “distorted depiction” of Hanuman sitting at the feet of Swaminarayan on a wall of a Hanuman temple at Sarangpur in Botad district of the state.
Hindu religious leaders and several local outfits have raised their voice against the depiction and asked for the removal of the murals, which are made of cast metal and installed on the walls near the Hanuman statue at the temple.
It was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in April.
Even as the saints at Shree Kashtbhanjandev Hanumanji Mandir in Sarangpur, reportedly assured the removal of the contentious murals during a closed-door meeting with the seers of Sanatan Dharm on Sunday and sought time of two days, Hindu religious leaders have called for a boycott of Swaminarayan sect by passing 11 resolutions during another meeting in Ahmedabad Sunday.
Meanwhile, a man allegedly defaced and vandalised a few of the murals with an axe on Saturday.
Also Read: Tensions Flare Over Contentious Paintings Displayed At Sarangpur Temple
