In response to Shankaracharya of Jyotir Peet and Dwarika Peeth, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati criticising the BJP national president for visiting a “fake Shankaracharya” on his visit to Haridwar on Saturday, Haridwar MP and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank opined that the Shankaracharya should refrain from politics focusing on his responsibility as a religious leader. Notably on his arrival to the city, Amit Shah had visited the Shri Jagat Guru Ashram to meet Swami Rajrajeshwaram in Kankhal.
Addressing the media Nishank said, “Amit Shah had not come here to to establish any ashram or peeth. I request Shankaracharya Swaroopanand not to indulge in politics which affects public sentiments.”
The Haridwar MP was here to inaugurate eight water vending machines at Haridwar railway station. These water vending machines will provide clean drinking water at cost cheaper than that of bottled water available in the market. The machines will dispense 300 ml water for one rupee and one litre water for Rs five. Plans are also afoot to modernize the railway station of Haridwar with other facilities considering the lakhs of visitors arriving here every year, said Nishank.
When asked his for his opinion on Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati alleging crowd hiring for the BJP rally Nishank said, “Amit Shah is the head of the world’s biggest political party, whereas when it comes to the Congress, the party itself is on the verge of extinction. Many in Congress have rebelled with others also expected to follow suit”.