Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut likens Jain Guru to 'a terrorist like Zakir Naik'

Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on Wednesday accused Jain Guru Nayapadma Sagar Ji Maharaj of spreading hate in society, and likened him to the banned Salafi evangelist Zakir Naik.

"He (Nayapadma Sagar) is a terrorist like Zakir Naik, who propagates violence on the pretext of religion and uses the language of terrorism. Such a person cannot be a religious preacher," Raut told ANI, adding that the Jain Guru is bringing disrepute to the Jain religion.

The Shiv Sena had raised its voice against Zakir Naik, Raut said, "because he creates rift within the society, and tries to convert Muslim men into terrorists."

Clearing the air that he does not harbour ill thoughts towards the Jain religion, Raut recalled the Jain preacher Lord Mahavir, and said that he sent out a message of peace and patience to the country, but Nayapadma Sagar on the other hand "has tried to change the meaning of the Jain religion" and that the religion is not like that.