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Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kashi scholars draft new Hindu Code of Conduct for reconversion
The Kashi Vidwat Parishad, an assembly of Vedic scholars, has introduced a new Hindu Code of Conduct, describing it as a simplified process for reconversion to Hinduism. It allows those who had left the faith under pressure or influence to return with ease—restoring their gotra and name. Based in Varanasi, the Kashi Vidwat Parishad has an executive council of 21 members, including scholars of Vedas, Sanskrit grammar, philosophy, Upanishads and Vedic mathematics. (HT file) Based in Varanasi, the Kashi Vidwat Parishad has an executive council of 21 members, including scholars of Vedas, Sanskrit grammar, philosophy, Upanishads and Vedic mathematics. The body has nearly 1,000 members. National general secretary Prof Ramnarayan Dwivedi said, 'In the Hindu Code of Conduct, which will be made public in October 2025, the reconversion process has been simplified.' He explained that individuals seeking reconversion will undergo a pooja under the guidance of an acharya. If the individual cannot recall the gotra of their ancestors, the acharya will assign one. If they remember it, the ancestral gotra will be retained. 'They will also be free to choose a second name as per their wish,' Prof Dwivedi added. A campaign will be launched urging society to accept those returning to the faith. The code also addresses social practices. It bans dowry and pre-wedding photo shoots, urges that marriages be held during daytime as per Vedic tradition, and allows the ritual of kanyadaan. Funeral feasts should be limited to 13 people. It stipulates that only priests and saints may enter the sanctum sanctorum of temples. Female foeticide is declared a sin, and equal rights for women are advocated—including the right to perform yagyas. According to Prof Dwivedi, saints across the country have endorsed the code. Over 40 meetings were held nationwide, and texts like Manu Smriti, Parashar Smriti, and Deval Smriti—alongside the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas—were consulted. Eleven teams comprising 70 scholars, including representatives from North and South India, worked for 15 years before the final code was presented before Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Ramanandacharya and others at the Mahakumbh for approval. To spread awareness, five lakh copies of a two-page summary from the 356-page code will be distributed to Hindu households in the first phase. 'Every Hindu across the globe is asking—how are we Hindus? This Hindu Code of Conduct is our answer,' said Swami Jitendrananda Saraswati, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti. He added that one lakh copies of the summary will be distributed during the Sanskriti Sansad in Kashi this October, when the code is officially unveiled.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
All Hindus have right to narrate Bhagavad Katha, regardless of caste: Kashi Vidvat Parishad
In response to the recent incident in Etawah where a non-Brahmin kathavachak (religious storyteller) was allegedly assaulted and tonsured, the Kashi Vidvat Parishad , a prestigious council of Sanskrit scholars and experts on Hindu scriptures, has issued a strong statement defending the rights of all Hindus to recite and narrate the Bhagavad Katha. Professor Ramnarayan Dwivedi, General Secretary of the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, said, "In Sanatan Dharma, the right to speak about Bhagavat -- the divine stories of Lord Vishnu -- belongs to every Hindu. No one has the authority to deny this." He added that Hindu tradition is replete with revered figures who were not Brahmins by birth but were honoured as sages due to their wisdom and conduct. "From Maharishi Valmiki to Ved Vyasa and Sant Ravidas, our tradition respects those with devotion, truthfulness, and knowledge - not merely birth," he said. Kashi Vidvat Parishad is an authoritative religious council in Varanasi composed of leading Vedic and scriptural scholars. It is frequently consulted on theological and dharmic matters and its pronouncements hold great weight in the Hindu religious community. Live Events Professor Dwivedi emphasised that the right to narrate religious texts should be based on one's understanding of scriptures and righteous conduct, not caste. "One who is learned and walks the path of dharma is truly a Brahmin or Pandit," he stated. Criticising attempts to politicise the issue, he said, "Some people want to incite internal conflict among Hindus for political gains. Hindus should recognise and resist such efforts." Commenting on the legal aspect of the Etawah incident, Dwivedi said, "If it is true that there was a violation of the law, the administration must ensure an impartial investigation and proceed according to constitutional norms. Those found guilty must be held accountable." Vice Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Professor Bihari Lal Sharma, echoed the Parishad's views. "There is no restriction in the scriptures based on caste when it comes to narrating religious stories. Anyone who is qualified and knowledgeable may do so. Knowledge does not differentiate on the basis of caste; it treats everyone equally," he said. "God resides in everyone. Therefore, all are equal, and no one should be discriminated against. Those whose conduct is pure and who are learned in the scriptures are to be regarded as Brahmins," he added. Days after the alleged caste-based tonsuring of a Bhagwat Katha preacher and his aide in Etawah's Dandarpur village, tensions escalated on Thursday as members of Yadav groups staged protests demanding the arrest of all accused and withdrawal of the case registered against the victims. The incident that triggered the unrest took place on the night of June 22-23 in the village. Two Bhagwat Katha preachers -- Mukut Mani Yadav and his aide Sant Singh Yadav -- were allegedly tonsured and humiliated by "upper-caste" men after it was found that they belonged to the Yadav caste. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media and was also shared by the SP chief, showed the accused purportedly saying, "You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins." The victims alleged they were interrogated about their caste, forced to show identification and subjected to humiliation. "I was tortured all night. My head was shaved, and they sprinkled urine on me, saying it was to purify me," said Sant Singh Yadav. Following the video's circulation, four accused -- Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi and Manu Dubey -- all residents of the village, were arrested and booked.
