Did Amit Shah Attend the ISKCON Event as a Devotee Instead of Home Minister?
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Kolkata, Feb 18 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed that his presence at the religious gathering at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in Mayapur, situated in the Nadia district of West Bengal, was in the capacity of a devotee rather than a government official. He emphasized his role as a follower of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
During his address at the celebration of the 152nd appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent 19th-century Vaishnav revivalist and the founder of the Gaudiya Math, Shah chose to refrain from political discourse, focusing instead on the spiritual essence of the event and the rich devotional heritage of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Shah conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings to the attendees, sharing the message of devotion tied to the day’s significance.
“Earlier today, I spoke to Prime Minister Modi. I informed him of my attendance at the 152nd Jayanti of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati here in Mayapur. He extends his heartfelt devotion and the message of ‘Hare Krishna’ to all of you. Although I was introduced as the Home Minister, I am here today solely as a humble devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,” Shah stated.
He remarked that the devotional movement initiated by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was not only continued but also modernized by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who significantly contributed to the spread of Vaishnav philosophy in contemporary times.
“This movement not only progressed but was also transformed into a modern platform inspiring the youth toward global welfare,” he noted.
According to Shah, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu provided a spiritual direction for those lost in ignorance and helped disseminate the message of devotion throughout India and beyond.
“Every individual harbors both positive and negative traits. However, when one transcends their existence to unite with Lord Krishna, all becomes good. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, through kirtan, dance, devotional music, and the teachings of the Gita, ignited the flame of devotion in many lives across eastern and northeastern India,” he added.