Delhi: Republican Party of India (Athawale), National Organization General Secretary Dr. Rajeev Menon wishes the statue of Sree Narayana Guru to be installed in the Parliament. While talking to a media outlet, Rajeev Menon said that Sree Narayana Guru was a great personality and a social reformer in the history of Kerala renaissance who engaged in radical activities to modernize the downtrodden society. He was a renaissance hero who fought hard against caste and religion. Guru’s motto was – ‘one caste, one religion, one god for man.’
Dr. Rajeev Menon mentioned that the installation of the statue of Sree Narayana Guru, a great global patron, would elevate India’s position on the world stage. He highlighted the absence of Sree Narayana Guru ‘s statue in the Parliament thus far as a disrespectful oversight.
Dr. Rajeev Menon said that it is only under the Modi government’s tenure that the significance of Sree Narayana Guru, a pioneer ahead of his era, has been duly acknowledged.
Dr. Rajeev Menon stated that Sree Narayana Guru transcended any particular caste or religion. He said that humanity and love for all were the basis of Sree Narayana Guru’s modus operandi. All the works of Sree Narayana Guru directed towards the welfare of humanity worldwide. Rajeev Menon said that Sree Narayana Guru worked for a radical change in the socio-cultural history of Kerala. He fought against social evils and superstitions such as caste supremacy, untouchability and lack of food in Kerala, which brought about revolutionary changes in the Kerala society.
Shiva Pratishtha (installation of the idol of Lord Shiva) at Aruvipuram in 1888 marked the beginning of all the revolutionary activities of Sree Narayana Guru, said Dr. Rajeev Menon. It was done with the aim of making it a place for everyone to come together and pray irrespective of caste and creed.
Sree Narayana Guru was born on August 20, 1856 to Madan Ashan and Kuttiyamma at Vayalvaram house in Chempazhanthy, Thiruvananthapuram district. He gained knowledge in Vedas, Upanishads and literature in different languages like Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit under great scholars. When he returned to his village in 1881, he built a small school and taught the children. Although he got married, he soon disassociated himself from the marriage to commence his public life as a social reformer.
Sri Narayanaguru established temples at various places including Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, open to all worshippers irrespective of caste. Sivagiri near Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram is a place where the Guru frequently visited and meditated. Here, he established an Ashram in 1904 and the Sharada Devi temple in 1912. In 1913 Advaita Ashram was established in Aluva. He even visited Sri Lanka and established temples there.
Dr. Rajeev Menon remarked that Sri Narayana Guru’s primary aim was social change through education, a legacy that continues to inspire Kerala and the nation today.
However, Rajeev Menon stated that successive governments have failed to adequately acknowledge Sri Narayana Guru’s contributions. According to him, only the NDA government has shown serious consideration for Gurudev’s teachings, initiating efforts to present Gurudev’s eight goals in Parliament. He expressed hope that the Modi government would be ready to install Gurudev’s statue in Parliament, further honoring his legacy.
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