Amit Shah hails Matua community’s social work, envisions Vikshit Bharat 2047 at Mayapur ISKCON event

Kolkata: Emphasizing the contribution of the Matua community in social welfare, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressed hope India will become "Vikshit Bharat" in 2047 and the message of "Sanatan religion" will be spread globally. He spoke about the role of Matua reformers Harichand and Guruchand Thakur for bringing social change. Shah was speaking at a religious programme on Wednesday in West Bengal’s Mayapur in Nadia district.

Shah’s visit to Nadia district was significant ahead of Bengal assembly polls as Nadia is Matua dominated district with BJP's stronghold and huge votebank.

“I prayed for the country’s welfare here. India will be blessed to become ‘Vikshit Bharat’ by 2047 and we will be able to reach the message of Sanatan dharma across the globe,” Shah said.” I have faith in Nadia’s holy land of Mayapur, which is set to become a major centre of ISKCON for spiritualism campaigns in future.”


Talking about the Matua community, Shah spoke about the role of Harichand and Gurchand Thakur, in social reforms and welfare. “Matua community has contributed to social welfare. Sri Harichand Thakur and Sri Guruchand Thakur have connected the community with the world,” Shah said. Harichand Thakur, who was a social reformer and founded the Matua sect of Hinduism in Bengal in the 19th century. He preached devotion to God, equality, and social justice for the untouchable.

“As a BJP National President and Union Home Minister, I have travelled to almost every state and found Gita’s translation in all languages through ISKCON’s publication. PM Narendra Modi always gifts Gita to all foreign heads of state when they come to India,” Shah said.

“Modernity is not the enemy of religion, but religion progresses through modernity as shown by Bhakti Sidhanth,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said during Bhakti Sidhanth Saraswati Thakur’s 152 anniversary in Mayapur.

Talking about ISKCON's role in service, Shah said, “Free food, hospital, school, college, strengthening ecology and helping reach Indian festivals to youth have succeeded.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today participated in a religious function at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Mayapur in Nadia at occasion of the 152nd holy appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, the 19th-century Vaishnav revivalist and founder of the Gaudiya Math.

Meanwhile, Trinamool criticized Shah. “So now, @BJP4India has a problem even with reciting Lord Rama’s name? @AmitShah began chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, yet stopped after the first two lines, whether out of ignorance or indifference, Trinamool said in its X Handle.