Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday criticized the VIP darshan culture in religious places, calling it contrary to the principle of equality. He expressed these views while inaugurating the new queue complex “Sri Sanidhya” at Karnataka’s Dharmasthala temple in Mangaluru district.
Dhankhar stated that religious institutions symbolize equality, emphasizing that no individual is superior before the Almighty. “The concept of VIP darshan belittles equality. VIP culture is an aberration and should have no place in society, especially in religious places,” he remarked.
The newly inaugurated Sri Sanidhya complex spans 2,75,177 square feet and can accommodate up to 10,000 devotees at a time. It includes 16 waiting halls, AI-enabled CCTV, air conditioning, emergency medical facilities, and solar power. The facility aims to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for devotees.
Administrator D. Veerendra Heggade highlighted the temple’s principle of “Bhaktadhi devobhava” (Devotees are God), which guided the complex’s design and construction.
Emphasis On Civilizational Values
During the event, Vice-President Dhankhar praised Dharmasthala’s contributions to education and healthcare, particularly in rural areas. He inaugurated the 2024-25 Jnanadeepa project, which provides scholarships to improve rural education.
Dhankhar also called for the preservation of India’s cultural heritage and urged the youth to engage with the country’s rich history. “Our goal should not just be to make India a developed nation by 2047; it should be our purpose,” he said.
The event was attended by Sudesh Dhankhar, Hemavati V. Heggade, and several dignitaries associated with the SDM Educational Institutions.
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