US: Louisville proclaims 3 September as ‘Sanatana Dharma Day’

Craig Greenberg, the mayor of Louisville metropolis in Kentucky within the United States has declared 3 September as ‘Sanatana Dharma Day’ within the metropolis. The official pronouncement was learn on the Maha Kumbha Abhishekam occasion on the Hindu Temple of Kentucky in Louisville by Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton Smith on behalf of the mayor.

The celebration was attended by a number of religious leaders and dignitaries together with Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Bhagawati Saraswati together with Lieutenant governor Jacqueline Coleman, deputy chief of employees Keisha Dorsey, amongst others.

The re-consecration – or #Mahakumbh #Abhishekam – of the #Hindu Temple of #Kentucky was made extra highly effective and vital by @LouisvilleMayor’s proclamation of three September 2023 as #SanatanaDharma Day! An exquisite new chapter within the superb saga of #Indian tradition! #Spiritual pic.twitter.com/0nv0PGmM2M

— Pujya Swamiji (@PujyaSwamiji) September 5, 2023

Notably, Greg Fisher, a former mayor of Louisville had earlier proclaimed 20 July to be ‘Encyclopaedia of Hinduism Day’ in Kentucky.

Chidanand Saraswati and Bhagawati Saraswati presided over the spiritual ceremony which launched the sacred rites and rituals that re-energise, rejuvenate and re-imbue the deities of the temple with potent divine power. The observance was a part of the auspicious event that entailed seven days of pooja and havan on the temple.

The intricacies of the assorted connotations related to every of the weather offered within the pooja, reminiscent of the hearth, the water, the flowers, and so forth., have been revealed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The immense affect and significance of Sanatan Dharma and the Sanatan custom have been burdened by Chidanand Saraswati.

Hinduism’s reference to science and spirituality was underlined by Bhagawati Saraswati who illustrated how the 2 fields work together in addition to overlap. The deputy mayor formally conferred Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Chidanand Saraswati with honorary citizenship of Louisville following the addresses. In addition to being appointed a Kentucky Colonel, a excessive state award, the latter had already been given the Key to the City of Louisville.

He voiced his displeasure over the current controversy which revolved across the inflammatory remarks of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. “It is so sad that in India, some people are creating such negativity around Sanatan Dharma without realizing or understanding its value and depth, and yet here in America, in Louisville, Kentucky, we are celebrating the great declaration by the government of a day dedicated to Sanatan Dharma.”

Row over provocative feedback on Sanatana Dharma

DMK youth wing chief and Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin equated Sanatan Dharma with illnesses and known as out for its full eradication. “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona, we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. The same is the case with Sanatan,” he said whereas addressing the ‘Eradicate Sanatan Conference.’

When the controversy escalated, he asserted that he would stand by each phrase he uttered in reference to the faith and additional urged for uprooting it utterly. “Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma. I spoke on behalf of the oppressed & marginalized, who suffer due to the Sanatan Dharma.”

Meanwhile, he garnered help from Congress get together together with son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, son of veteran Congressman P Chidambaram and Lok Sabha MP Karti P Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Congress spokesperson and General Secretary Lakshmi Ramachandran for his outrageous assertion.

Priyank Kharge claimed, “Any religion that does not promote equality or does not ensure you have the dignity of being human is not religion, according to me. Any religion that does not give equal rights or does not treat you like humans is as good as disease.”

Karti P Chidambaram went on an anti-Hindu tirade and alleged, “Sanatan Dharma is nothing but code for a Caste Hierarchical Society. All those batting for it are hankering for the Good Ole Days! Caste is the Curse of India.”

Lakshmi Ramachandra tried to create a divide between north and south Indian. She posted, “Sanathanam is another name for the hate-mongering, casteist Hindutva which has its origins in the North. In the south, our Hinduism is peace-loving and striving to be inclusive. Ramanujar, Vallalar and Narayana Guru kind of Hinduism is our Hinduism.”

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal talked about that Congress believes within the ideology of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava.” However, he added that “every political party has the freedom to tell their views” and Congress get together respects everyone’s beliefs.