Blind devotion towards godmen threat to nation: Swami Agnivesh

Social activist Swami Agnivesh today said that "rising blind devotion" towards religion and godmen was a grave threat to the country.
Talking to reporters here, the Arya Samaj leader said the "hypocrite godmen" were holding democracy to ransom in the name of religion and thus any association of godmen and political leaders with each others should be probed.
"Rising blind devotion towards religion and godmen pose a grave threat to the country. Hypocrite godmen are working to build vote bank for the political parties, which is crippling the democracy," he said.
Blaming self-styled godmen, Agnivesh said they were establishing empire of immense property for themselves by playing with people's faith and sentiments.

Agnivesh also criticised the Centre for its attitude towards Rohingya Muslims, and announced that he will hold a fast, on October 2, to protest the government's decision.
Terming the Rohingya refugees as "illegal" immigrants, the government on September 18 told the Supreme Court that some of them were part of a "sinister" design of Pakistan's ISI and terror groups such as the ISIS, whose presence in the country will pose a "serious" national security threat.

Agnivesh countered the government's stance, saying there was no proof that Rohingya Muslims were involved in terrorist activities.
"The Rohingyas are taking shelter in other countries due to insecurity in Myanmar," he said, adding that India should shelter them on humanitarian grounds.

"There are more than 60,000 Rohingya Muslims living in Jammu and Kashmir. They should be sheltered just like refugees of Bangladesh, Tibet, and Afghanistan," he said.
The activist also suggested that the Centre mount pressure on Myanmar and raise the issue of Rohingya Muslims so that people can return to their homes safely.