'Will politicians sell golgappas?': Kangana defends 'betrayer' Eknath Shinde
What's the story
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut stood up for Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday after Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, called Shinde a "betrayer." The religious leader had accused Shinde of "betrayal" in relation to the 2022 collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, led by Uddhav Thackeray. "Uddhav Thackeray has been betrayed...The one who betrays can't be a Hindu. The betrayal...was reflected in the recent (Lok Sabha) elections," he told reporters.
Defense
Ranaut backs Shinde amid political turmoil
Coming to Shinde's defense, Ranaut said Swami had "hurt the sentiments of all" by calling Shinde a "traitor" and a "betrayer." "In politics, it is very normal and constitutional to have alliances, treaties and division of a party. If a politician does not do politics, will he sell golgappas?" Ranaut wrote on X. She also cited historical instances of the Congress party splitting in 1907 and again in 1971 as examples.
Criticism
Ranaut accuses Shankaracharya of misusing influence
In fact, Swami insulted the Hindu religion by making such "petty" remarks," the newly-elected Mandi MP said. "Religion also says that if the king himself starts exploiting his subjects, then treason is the ultimate religion," she asserted. "Shankaracharya ji has misused his words and his influence...Shankaracharya Ji is insulting the dignity of the Hindu religion by saying such petty and petty things," Ranaut said.
Elections
Election results reflect public distress, says Shankaracharya
Swami made the contentious remarks after meeting Thackeray at his residence on Monday. The Thackeray-led MVA government, which comprised the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Nationalist Congress Party, collapsed in June 2022 following Shinde's mutiny. He later became CM with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the recent Lok Sabha election, the opposition bloc won 30 seats—a gain of 21—while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could only secure 17—a loss of 20 from the previous election.