Call for a Church-Free Odisha; Saints to Reach Every Village in Kandhamal

• Demand raised in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan;

• Book on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati released

Hemant Kumar Tiwari,

Bhubaneswar: A call was made to make Odisha “church-free” during a programme attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speakers also demanded that the activities of vidharmis (those described by the speakers as followers of other faiths) be curbed and urged the saint community to visit every village in Kandhamal to spread the message of religion, culture, and social awareness.

During the event, the book “Vedanta Kesari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati: Vyakti va Krititva” was released. Delivering the welcome address, Swami Jeevan Muktananda Puri said that it is the collective responsibility of society to fulfil the unfinished dream of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. He also urged that the book be made available in libraries across Odisha and the country so that future generations can draw inspiration from the saint’s thoughts, struggles, and service to society.

Speakers described Kandhamal as a “laboratory” for the nation and said that its experiences and model should be followed across the country. They also appealed to every individual to contribute “one rupee and one hour in the name of religion” for the protection and promotion of religious and cultural values.

The gathering further resolved that saints and spiritual leaders should reach every village in Kandhamal to strengthen social awareness and carry forward the ideals and unfinished mission of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.