BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has voiced her support for Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following controversial comments made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath. The Shankaracharya had labeled Uddhav Thackeray a “victim of betrayal” and referred to Shinde as a “traitor” and “betrayer.”
Ranaut criticized Swami Avimukteshwaranand, stating that his remarks were hurtful and disrespectful. “In politics, it is very normal and constitutional to have alliances, treaties, and division of a party. The Congress party was divided in 1907 and then again in 1971. If a politician does not do politics, will he sell golgappas?” Ranaut said in a post on X.
She emphasized that political alliances and divisions are part of democratic processes and accused the Shankaracharya of misusing his influence and words. “Shankaracharya ji has misused his words and his influence… He has hurt the sentiments of all of us by using derogatory words against Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde by accusing him of being a traitor and a betrayer,” the BJP leader said.
Ranaut also referenced religious principles, stating, “Religion also says that if the king himself starts exploiting his subjects, then treason is the ultimate religion.”
The Shankaracharya had met Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray earlier this week, describing Thackeray as a “victim of betrayal” and expressing the anguish of Maharashtra’s populace over the political upheaval.
Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister in June 2022 after rebelling against Thackeray and forming a government in alliance with the BJP.
