Rambhadracharya's 'Blind' Potshots

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 17 September 2025 One 'Jagadguru' Rambhadracharya's recent controversial statements have divided India into two distinct blocks. While a very large section is endorsing his polemic views, sane Hindus and Dalits are condemning him. He stated that Dr B R Ambedkar burnt the copies of Manusmriti because he didn't know Sanskrit; UP, esp. western UP, looks like a mini Pakistan and Manusmriti is greater than the Constitution of India. Rambhadracharya is 'blind' (pun intended) to Dr B R Ambedkar's coruscating brilliance. Ambedkar knew Sanskrit. He opted for it but the Bombay University didn't allow him to study Sanskrit because of his lower caste. Only Brahmins could study Sanskrit at Bombay University when Dr Ambedkar was pursuing his BA. So, he studied Persian instead of Sanskrit as he already had a workable knowledge of Persian. At college or varsity level, one doesn't opt for a language if he doesn't know it. That Ambedkar first opted for Sanskrit during his BA is a clinching evidence that he already had an understanding of Sanskrit. Has this controversial 'Jagadguru' seen UP, esp. western UP, with his own eyes? Needless to say, it's his vicarious perception of UP looking like a mini Pakistan. The current political dispensation wants Manusmriti to be the new Constitution of Hindu India. All its Babas, gurus, saints and 'Jagadgurus' are striving in that direction. Rambhadracharya is no exception. He's a blue-eyed boy of the existing government. Manusmriti and Savarkar's ideas are on the syllabi of Indian universities. Students at DU pursuing BA, First Year, study Manusmriti and Savarkar in the name of 'Ideas in Indian Political Thought' (Political Science, elective). This is not just arbitrary imposition but political inculcation and religious indoctrination in the name of education. Instead of academicians and scholars setting a balanced syllabus for the students, saints and politicians are drafting the curriculum. You can jolly well guess what they'll introduce and incorporate. People like Rambhadracharya are talking through their hats because they've full political support to blurt out anything at their will and whim. All these Babas have been lionised by their political masters at the helm. This is indeed sad, nay alarming. But who cares? ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/rambhadracharya-blind-potshots/d/136861 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism