Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani on Thursday visited Dwarka amid the ongoing controversy over the Swaminarayan sect’s disputed literature regarding Lord Dwarkadheesh. The controversy has ignited opposition from followers of Sanatan Hindu Dharma.
During his visit, Nathwani offered prayers at the Jagat Mandir, had a darshan of Lord Dwarkadheesh, and visited the Sharda Math, where he worshipped the Padukas (sacred footwear) of Shankaracharya.
Addressing the media, Nathwani condemned the Swaminarayan sect’s controversial statements and literature about Lord Dwarkadheesh. “Lord Dwarkadheesh is eternally present in the Jagat Mandir, underscoring the deity’s divine importance,” he said.
Nathwani had also voiced his disapproval of the sect’s statements in a post on X (formerly Twitter) a day before his visit.
The controversy escalated following a derogatory remark by a Swaminarayan Gurukul saint against Lord Dwarkadheesh. In response, Nathwani expressed his dismay, describing the comments against Dwarkadheesh and Sanatan Dharma as deeply saddening.
He further denounced the repeated statements by Swaminarayan saints against Sanatan deities and traditions, calling them reprehensible.
Adding to the unrest, a follower of Swaminarayan sect leader Prabodh Swami suggested that visiting the Ganga River was unnecessary and that merely seeing Swamiji would suffice for spiritual sanctity.
This remark provoked widespread anger within the Sagar community, with the video implying that devotees would experience the river’s sanctity through the saint’s presence.
Religious controversies involving the Swaminarayan sect have been recurring in Gujarat. Recently, a book titled “Shreeji Sankalpamurti Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swamini Vato” contained contentious statements about Hindu deities. On page 33, the book questioned the presence of God in Dwarka, suggesting devotees should visit Vadtal instead. The content sparked widespread anger among Sanatan followers.
Bhaveshwari Maa, head of Morbi’s Ramdhan Ashram, criticised the Swaminarayan saints, stating, “To make your own line longer, do not cut others’ lines shorter. The repeated insults towards Sanatan Dharma must stop.”
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