Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday addressed the ‘Pramukh Varni Amrit Mahotsav’ organised by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other dignitaries were also present.
Shah said Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s work and contribution were difficult to fully describe, noting that BAPS had inspired people by showcasing his life and values. He said Pramukh Swami Maharaj expanded the reach of spirituality and Vaishnav philosophy and demonstrated how devotion and service could be practised together. According to Shah, his conduct set an example of the principle ‘Nar mein Narayan’.
The Home Minister said Pramukh Swami Maharaj revived the long-standing tradition of compassion for all living beings and strengthened respect for saints and sannyasis at a time when that regard had weakened in independent India. He said Pramukh Swami Maharaj rebuilt public trust in the monastic order through personal conduct rather than preaching.
Shah added that the banks of the Sabarmati have a long history of social and spiritual contribution – from the story of Rishi Dadhichi to Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom movement. He noted that Pramukh Swami Maharaj accepted leadership of BAPS in Ahmedabad in 1950, and his work from 1950 to 2016 now serves as an example for various religious sects.
The Home Minister said the programmes of the Swaminarayan sect aim to promote education and address social issues, and that the current event was designed to highlight the values central to the life of a saint.
Earlier in the day, Shah also paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his birth anniversary. In a post on X, he described him as a symbol of simplicity, service and compassion, and said that his teachings and interactions always offered inspiration.
