Why Acharya Prashant is Targeted by Right-Wing Hindutva Extremists : Misleading Claims & Fake News On Kumbh Mela

We had written a blog post earlier titled “How Hard It Is to Be Acharya Prashant“, in which we had explored how his fearless pursuit of authenticity unsettles the powerful.

By challenging religious dogmas, political agendas, and age-old traditions, Acharya Prashant has placed himself squarely in the crosshairs of those who thrive on keeping the world asleep.
It’s now recent times: a vicious storm has erupted to add another chapter to the relentless attacks on Acharya Prashant and his mission.

Context

A fake poster went viral, falsely claiming that Acharya Prashant called the Kumbh festival superstition. This was completely untrue, and Acharya Prashant never made such a statement. The person behind the fake poster had no connection to him or his NGO.

The false claim led to serious consequences. Angry mobs burned over 500 spiritual books, including the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Ramayana. Volunteers distributing these books were also attacked.

Mohan Singh, a former soldier, believed this was a planned attack. First, the fake news was spread, and then a group was organized to burn books and assault people. Many compared this incident to the burning of Nalanda University by Bakhtiyar Khilji.

Media platforms like Jaipur Dialogues, OpIndia, India Speaks Daily, and ABP News were accused of spreading the false claim. This highlights the need for responsible journalism and fact-checking before sharing news.

Right wing handles have gone crazy in sharing an extremely vicious video which carries an allegedly forged poster carrying the lie that Acharya Prashant labeled Kumbh as ‘superstition’. The fall-out was heavy, the books he wrote on revered scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Ramayana were publicly burned in anger. Over 500 books were destroyed and volunteer distributors attacked.It wasn’t just books that were attacked but free thought and intellectual courage.

Acharya Prashant is the author of more than 150 books, 15 of which are national bestsellers. He writes on topics ranging from scriptural wisdom and philosophy to climate change and women’s liberation, unmoved by those who try to silence him.

On investigation, it was found that the poster in question was completely baseless. Acharya Prashant never made such a statement, or anything close to it.

The individual behind the fake poster had no link with his NGO or its volunteers, and seemed to be a pawn in a plot. According to Mohan Singh, who was a former soldier who witnessed the violence, the incident seemed to be a pre-planned conspiracy.

First, it was the publication of the spurious poster, which was followed by an organized attack on volunteers through book burning. This act of senseless violence and destruction of scriptures shocked and dismayed many.

The adversary groups, however, quickly spread this fake news on social media after the disgracing act of aggression that dishonoured the spirit of the Kumbh and the teachings of Hindu scriptures. Media channels and influencers, including Sanjay Dixit of Jaipur Dialogues, Sanjay Dev of India Speaks Daily, and some ISCKON handles, were found to be creating and amplifying the false narrative.

It was the type of attack where, just like in the destruction of books at Nalanda University by Bakhtiyar Khilji when the world’s largest library was burned.

It is a tragic irony that such an event, which was once regarded as a calamity and desecration of India’s heritage, now finds an echo in acts of religious vandalism at the sacred banks of the Ganga during the Mahakumbh. The comparison only makes the situation all the more serious and its future implications for Sanatan Dharma.

He has repeatedly spoken through his discourses that corrupt religious practices, motivated by superstition and regional activities, have alienated people from the very nature of Sanatan Dharma. According to him, even when men try to join people with the pure principles of Vedanta, their work is opposed by vested interests that use religion for personal aggrandizement.

The History of Religious Reforms in India

According to Acharya Prashant, his reform movement is not a new phenomenon. This makes him note that reform movements, together with the opposition to reformers, have always been part of the Indic history tapestry. He goes on to give a wealth of history regarding reform movements in Indian spirituality, especially Sanatan Dharma.

This begins with the disappearance of the Vedic period, which shows how societal distortions entered religious practices. This decline made for reform attempts with Mahatma Buddha and Bhagwan Mahavir at the helm, which eradicated widespread corruption by bringing in purity and self-awareness.

Further, he mentions the contributions of Adi Shankaracharya, who restored the very basics of Sanatan Dharma from external influences and distortions within it. Shankaracharya’s philosophy of Advaita Vedanta was aimed at self-knowledge and Vedantic principles again regaining their position.

Acharya Prashant then progresses and talks about the Bhakti Movement, which he says was a reaction to the rigidities in society and class oppression. Reformers like Saint Kabir, Saint Ravidas, and Guru Nanak Dev emphasized commitment to Truth and denounced superstition with the help of a local dialect and metaphor in reaching the masses.

The modern phase of reform started with persons like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Jyotirao Phule and Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar in the 18th and 19th centuries. They addressed issues like casteism, women’s rights, and other social malaises that set precedents for further improvement. Swami Vivekananda was an icon of 19th century who had the Vedanta philosophy that brought Sanatan Dharma into the conscious vision of the world as universal and inclusive.

He further relates all these efforts to India’s struggle for independence. He points out how leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar integrated religious and social reform. This entire process finally led to the making of India’s progressive constitution, which Acharya Prashant says is a significant landmark in the history of social reform.

Acharya Prashant’s journey resembles the eternal tradition of reform that has marked Sanatan Dharma over the centuries. Like the great reformers of yesteryears, he continues to bridge the classical and the modern, amidst serious contemporary concerns, with incisive vision and unwavering resolve.

His work touches the most urgent issues of modern life bringing clarity to misunderstood scriptures, dismantling the grip of superstition, and empowering individuals to live with authenticity and awareness. His voice reverberates in conversations about women’s empowerment, urging a rethinking of entrenched societal norms, and in the urgent call for environmental stewardship, where he connects human responsibility with spiritual wisdom.

Much like others before him: Mahatma Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, and Swami Vivekananda, Acharya Prashant serves as a beacon of how the Sanatan Dharma has always, in its revival, been through men who dared to question, reform, and guide. His compassion and courage, like a quiet transformer, align man’s spirit toward truth and harmony.
In every age, there have been voices that challenge the status quo, offering the world a new lens to see itself. Acharya Prashant stands among them, not by proclamation but by the steady resonance of his words and actions, inspiring individuals to rethink, relearn, and renew their connection to the deeper essence of life.

Challenges to reform and resistance from traditionalists

Acharya Prashant has been facing stiff resistance in his efforts to reform Sanatan Dharma. He critiques those entrenched in outdated practices, demonstrating how they exploit religion for personal gain. He identifies casteism, patriarchy, and superstition as key barriers to progress, perpetuated by vested interests within traditionalist circles.
Despite opposition, Acharya Prashant remains committed to fostering a forward-thinking and inclusive Sanatan Dharma. He views reform tradition with a view towards revitalizing its essence.

He acknowledges the personal attacks and opposition to his work, including the burning of his books, as a reflection of the entrenched fear among those benefiting from the status quo. He highlights the importance of engaging with the masses to awaken their understanding of true spirituality, rooted in Vedantic principles.

He criticizes attempts at centralizing power in the name of Hindu unity. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that efforts toward such unification are very often made to fulfill personal agendas and not for the sake of religion itself. This form of centralization, he says, establishes hierarchies which take advantage of devotees to be used for individualistic motives, keeping them away from real spiritual exploration and self-awareness.

True spiritual welfare, he argues, lies in empowering individuals to seek truth and wisdom, not in imposing rigid systems that stifle personal freedom, growth and understanding.

Vedanta’s simplicity and relevance

It is sometimes said that Acharya Prashant’s Vedanta-based teachings are challenging to comprehend and implement. Furthermore, while they may be beneficial, they are perceived as catering primarily to intellectuals rather than the layman.

The huge following of over 77 million and tens of billions of views on his social media content is a clear proof that his teachings are not only understandable but also implementable. The high engagement level is also evident, as he receives many comments on his content. However, Acharya Prashant addresses the subject with a philosopher’s wisdom, bringing to the discussion a deeper and enlightening viewpoint.

He describes Vedanta as the distillate of Sanatan Dharma’s wisdom, presenting it as a practical and transformative philosophy that proceeds through self-observation and culminates in self-realisation. The principles of Vedanta focus on understanding rather than blind ritualism, encouraging seekers to observe and examine their internal and external lives. He asserts that Vedanta’s emphasis on self-inquiry makes it indispensable in modern times, as humanity today desperately needs to look inwards.

Vedanta, says Acharya Prashant, is not a way to abandon worldly life but to live it from the place of self-awareness and discernment. Applying the principles of Vedanta, people realize that their illusions, bondages, and sufferings arise originally from an internal place. Contemporary challenges and their inner roots

Acharya Prashant links the present-day crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, species extinction, sectarian fanaticism, nuclear proliferation, and the rise of AI-based superintelligence to their internal origins. He makes it clear that external issues are a reflection of inner ignorance and disharmony in the human mind. According to Vedanta, these crises can be solved only by inner clarity. Resolving internal conflicts would help humanity align with natural harmony and effectively address these global challenges.

According to him, all this was the consequence of human actions born out of fear and ignorance of their bond with nature and consequently bonded with each other. It has led to environmental degradation, social disturbances, and headstrong technology progress. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that these external problems can only be solved through inner introspection and a change in human consciousness. He advocates for an inner awakening that allows one to understand the interdependence of all life and to acknowledge the futility of greedy avenues.

The future ahead

While the hostility is still there, which finds its expressions in burning his books, Acharya Prashant remains undeterred in his endeavor to connect people with Vedantic principles of self-realization and clarity. Engaging with the masses and consistent advocacy, he sees a future in which true spiritual wisdom triumphs over ignorance, dogma and bigotry.

Acharya Prashant believes resistance to reform is just a natural response from those holding self-centered social, political, and financial stakes within distorted systems. Reforming such fixed systems is painstakingly slow with opposition but sure to alter society’s course in life.

He claims that the timeless wisdom of Vedanta offers a profound framework for dealing with modern challenges and nurturing a harmonious society. With Vedantic wisdom, one can acquire the clarity needed to deal with contemporary complexities while developing the resilience necessary to overcome them.

Acharya Prashant’s commitment to telling truth, which inspires action rather than mere applause, is something we believe imperative for those with aspirations for a better future for the country to get behind.

About the Author

The Philox

Administrator

Visit Website View All Posts