12 Kolkata: After controversial monk Kartik Maharaj, also known as Pradiptananda Maharaj, from Bharat Sevashram Sangha was conferred Padma Shri, Trinamool, Congress and CPM on Monday slammed Centre's decision while BJP defended him.
Maharaj has been in the headlines for his controversial remarks. He had said that considering Mohandas Gandhi as Father of the Nation was a "misfortune" for India. He was seen with BJP functionaries at rallies and headed the committee that organised "Ek Lakh Kanthe Geeta Path" in the run-up to the Ayodhya Ram idol consecration ceremony.
Maharaj was also in the limelight after CM Mamata Banerjee criticised him during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She accused him of not allowing TMC polling agents to sit in booths in the vicinity of the ashram. At a rally in Hooghly last May, Banerjee said: "There is a maharaj in Behrampore, Kartik Maharaj. He says he will not allow any TMC agent in the polling booth. I do not consider him a saint as he is directly involved in politics and is ruining the country." In response, Maharaj sent a legal notice.
TMC's former RS MP Kunal Ghosh was critical of the monk's selection as a Padma awardee. "BJP has made it clear that Padma (lotus) loses its Shri (beauty) at times. BJP has proved that the list of awardees is agenda-driven and has defamed the list of other awardees. We don't consider Kartik Maharaj a brand ambassador of Hindutva," he said.
Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury alleged that the Padma awards was being tarnished with politics. "The BJP govt has politicised one of the highest civilian awards. Those who believe in the ideology of BJP and RSS will be rewarded," he said.
CPM alleged that Maharaj's nomination was not only another step towards "saffronisation" but also an attack on the sanctity of Padma awards. "It has now become an instrument to win over political allegiance. This is an effort to glorify a person who believes in divisive politics," CPM's state secretary Md Salim said.
Bengal's leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari defended Centre's decision. "He is not just a Hindu spiritual leader. He runs 13 schools. In areas where the state's health infrastructure does not reach, he has set up hospitals," Adhikari said.
In his response, Maharaj "thanked Bengal govt and the state's party in office". "Their criticism of me and my work helped my efforts gain nationwide recognition. Their advertisements made me famous across India. Earlier, I was only known in Murshidabad but now I am known nationwide," he said.
"Those who wear saffron do not seek awards, rewards or appreciation. Our organisation, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, along with our hospital and school, will benefit greatly from this recognition," Maharaj added.
Maharaj, who was initiated into the spiritual path of life at a very early age, joined Bharat Sevashram Sangha as a teenager. He was initiated by Swami Pragyananda Maharaj. Gradually, he was sent to Beldanga, Murshidabad, where he set up an ashram and contributed to building schools and hospitals.
Maharaj has been in the headlines for his controversial remarks. He said that considering Mohandas Gandhi as Father of the Nation was a ‘misfortune' for India. He was also seen with BJP netas at rallies