Why do Right Wing Hindutva Extremists Hate Acharya Prashant?

In our previous article, “How Hard It Is to Be Acharya Prashant”, we 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.

Recently, a vicious storm erupted, adding another chapter to the relentless attacks on Acharya Prashant and his mission. A video featuring a fake poster falsely claiming that Acharya Prashant had labelled the Kumbh festival as superstition was circulated widely by right-wing social media handles. The fallout was severe—his books on revered scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Ramayana were burned in public spectacles of anger. Over 500 books were destroyed, and volunteers distributing them were physically assaulted.

This wasn’t just an attack on books; it was an assault on free thought and intellectual courage. Acharya Prashant, the author of over 150 books including 15 national bestsellers continues to write on topics ranging from scriptural wisdom and philosophy to climate change and women’s liberation, undeterred by those who seek to silence him.

Upon thorough investigation, it was revealed that the said poster was completely baseless. Acharya Prashant never made such a statement, or anything close to it. The individual responsible for the fake poster had no connection to his NGO or its volunteers, and appeared to be a pawn in a plot. Mohan Singh, a former soldier who witnessed the violence, stated that the incident appeared to be a pre-planned conspiracy. First, the false poster was circulated, then an organized group gathered to burn books and attack volunteers. This deliberate act of violence, targeting books of spiritual significance left many shocked and dismayed.

What followed the disgraceful act of aggression that dishonoured the spirit of the Kumbh and the teachings of Hindu scriptures, was the fast spread of this fake news on social media by the adversary groups. 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.

This attack is similar to the historical destruction of books of Nalanda University by Bakhtiyar Khilji, where the world’s largest library was burned. It is a tragic irony that such an event, once viewed as a calamity and violation of India’s heritage, is now echoed by acts of religious vandalism at the sacred banks of the Ganga during the Mahakumbh. This comparison underscores the gravity of the situation and its implications for the future of Sanatan Dharma.

In his discourses, Acharya Prashant has been emphasizing how distorted religious practices, driven by superstition and regional rituals, have distanced people from the essence of Sanatan Dharma. He argues that efforts to reconnect individuals with pure Vedantic principles are often met with resistance from those who exploit religion for personal gain.

The history of religious reforms in India

Acharya Prashant asserts that his reform movement is not a novel concept. He explains that reform movements within Sanatan Dharma, along with the inevitable opposition to reformers, have long been a fundamental aspect of Indic history. He outlines the rich history of reform movements within Indian spirituality, especially Sanatan Dharma. He begins with the decline of the Vedic period, highlighting how societal distortions crept into religious practices. This decline prompted reform efforts, starting with Mahatma Buddha and Bhagwan Mahavir, who addressed prevalent corruption by emphasizing purity and self-awareness.

Moving forward, he discusses the contributions of Adi Shankaracharya, who revived the core tenets of Sanatan Dharma by combating external influences and internal distortions. Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta philosophy sought to restore the primacy of self-knowledge and Vedantic principles.

Acharya Prashant further delves into the Bhakti movement, which he states emerged to counter societal rigidities and caste-based oppression. Reformers like Saint Kabir, Saint Ravidas, and Guru Nanak Dev emphasized commitment to Truth and denounced superstition, using local dialects and metaphor to connect with the masses.

The modern phase of reform began in the 18th and 19th centuries with figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Jyotirao Phule and Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar. These reformers tackled caste discrimination, women’s oppression, and other social ills, laying the groundwork for further progress. Swami Vivekananda was one of the most significant figures of 19^th century whose teachings on Vedanta garnered worldwide recognition for the universal and inclusive essence of Sanatan Dharma.

He further connects these efforts to India’s independence movement, highlighting how leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar integrated religious and societal reform. This entire process finally resulted in the framing of India’s progressive constitution, which Acharya Prashant sees as a milestone in social reform.

Acharya Prashant’s journey echoes the timeless tradition of reform that has defined Sanatan Dharma through the ages. Like the great reformers before him, he tirelessly bridges the gap between the ancient and the contemporary, addressing the pressing challenges of our time with profound insight 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 those who came before him—Mahatma Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, and Swami Vivekananda—Acharya Prashant’s efforts are a reminder of how Sanatan Dharma has always found renewal in those who dared to question, reform, and guide. His work, grounded in both compassion and courage, reflects a quiet but transformative resolve to align the human spirit with 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.

Acharya Prashant sharply critiques attempts to centralize power under the pretext of fostering Hindu unity, emphasizing that these efforts often serve individual agendas rather than the true interests of religion. He warns that such centralization creates hierarchies that exploit devotees, turning them into tools for personal gain while steering them away from authentic spiritual inquiry 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 massive following of over 77 million and tens of billions of views on his social media content are clear evidence that his teachings are both comprehensible and implementable. Additionally, the high levels of engagement, reflected in the numerous comments on his content, demonstrate its transformative impact. However, Acharya Prashant approaches the subject with a philosopher’s wisdom, offering a deeper and more 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 prioritize 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, according to Acharya Prashant, is not about abandoning worldly life but about engaging with it from a position of self-awareness and discernment. By applying Vedantic principles, individuals discover that their illusions, bondages and sufferings arise originally from an internal place.

Contemporary challenges and their inner roots

Acharya Prashant connects contemporary crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, species extinction, sectarian fanaticism, nuclear proliferation, and the rise of AI-based superintelligence to their internal origins. He emphasizes that external issues are reflections of inner ignorance and disharmony within the human mind. According to Vedanta, addressing these crises requires inner clarity. By resolving internal conflicts, humanity can realign with natural harmony effectively tackling these global challenges.

He explains that human actions driven by fear and a false sense of separateness have led to environmental degradation, social unrest, and unchecked technological advancements. Acharya Prashant highlights that these external problems cannot be solved through policy changes or superficial measures alone. Instead, they demand a deep introspection and a shift in human consciousness. He advocates for inner awakening to recognize the interconnectedness of all life and the futility of greed-driven pursuits.

The way ahead

Despite continued hostility that manifests in events such as burning of his books, Acharya Prashant remains steadfast in his mission to connect people with Vedantic principles of self-realization and clarity. Through engagement with the masses and persistent advocacy, he envisions a future where true spiritual wisdom triumphs over ignorance, dogma and bigotry.

Acharya Prashant asserts that resistance to reform is a natural reaction from those with self-centred social, political and financial stakes in distorted systems. Reforming entrenched systems may be slow and met with opposition, but persistence ensures that these efforts reshape society’s trajectory. He asserts that Vedanta’s timeless teachings provide a profound framework for navigating modern challenges and nurturing a harmonious society. By embracing Vedantic wisdom, individuals can gain the clarity to address contemporary complexities while cultivating the resilience essential for overcoming them.

Acharya Prashant’s unwavering commitment to spreading truth inspires action, not just applause. We think it is crucial for those who seek a brighter future for the nation to rally behind his transformative efforts.