Several Hindu religious leaders here on Thursday criticised saffron clad Swami Agnivesh for entering Bigg Boss, dubbing his action as a publicity stunt to draw media attention.
Swami Agnivesh, a native of Shakti town in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir district, has earlier invited severe criticism from leaders of his “erstwhile” community — Arya Samaj — for accepting the offer to join the contestants of Bigg Boss. The leaders of Arya Samaj accused him of being struck by glamour for deciding to live in the Bigg Boss house during the programme.
The religious guru had embraced Arya Samaj nearly two decades ago. But, he was allegedly excommunicated by the community leaders a decade later for some reasons.
Close on the heels of disapproval of Arya Samaj leaders for his decision to participate in the reality show, several prominent Hindu leaders here flayed him for entering the Bigg Boss house in saffron robes, associated with spiritualism and holy people.
“It is a publicity stunt by Mr Agnivesh to join the Bigg Boss family to remain in the limelight. He, however, should not use saffron clothes to participate in a glamorous programme like Bigg Boss, as saffron is considered sacred by people following Hindu and other religions. It is highly objectionable,” Pandit Kedar Tiwari, a renowned Sanskrit scholar, said in a statement issued here.
Pandit Brahmanand Jugal Kishore Shastri, another Sankrit scholar of repute in Chhattisgarh, condemned Swami Agnivesh for joining Bigg Boss in Saffron clothes, describing it an insult to the sacred symbol.