“Should we just sit outside and clap when the Prime Minister places the idol of Ram Lalla?” he asked.
Swami Nischalanand Saraswati Maharaj, the Shankaracharya of Puri, clarified that his choice to not attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is based on the deviation from established traditions during the installation of the Ram idol.
He emphasized that the decision is not driven by ego but rather a commitment to upholding the dignity of the four Shankaracharyas. Swami Nischalanand questioned whether they are expected to just sit outside and applaud when the Prime Minister installs the idol of Ram Lalla. He emphasized that the presence of a ‘secular’ government should not lead to the disregard of traditions.