Photo featuring disrespect to Tulsi & Bhagvad Geeta goes viral: BDA Enforcement Squad raids on Baikuntha Dham Ashram

Bhubaneswar, Nov 18: Following a row over viral photos featuring disrespect to holy Tulsi and Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta, the Bhubaneswar Development Authorities (BDA) on Monday have initiated a probe on the illegal encroachment in the Baikuntha Dham Ashram in Bhubaneswar.

An Enforcement Squad of the BDA, visited the Ashram and initiated a primary assessment to rule out encroachment of government land.

The Commissionerate Police swung into action and took up a search operation in the Baikunthanath Ashram premises at the Khandagiribari village Based on two cases filed against the Ashram head identifed as Kashinath Mishra.

The cases arose relating the Ashram as a youngster, reportedly an engineering student allegedly manifested himself as a sheer putting his feet on piles of Holy Basil (Tulsi) and sacred Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta,that went viral on social media recently.

It erupted a socio-religious row across the state. Social activists and religious institutions raised violent protest before the ‘Baikuntha Dham’ and lodged a complaint against the boy and his father, who intuited his college-going son to come up as an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

In their complaint, the social organisation alleged that the father-son duo has disrespected Hindu culture and hurt the religious sentiments of Odias by disregarding Tulsi, which is considered as one of the dearest belongings of Lord Shri Krishna and the representative of Goddess Brindavati. 

According to the allegation raised by President ‘Rajya Samajsevi Mahasangha’ Narayan Sahu, “The Holy Tulsi is seen placed near the feet of Kashinath Mishra’s son which is unfortunate. Similarly proclaiming his son as Kalki Bhagwan is an utter deception for the society.” 

Responding to the allegations, Pandav Parida, President of the ‘Baikuntha Dham’ Ashram said, “No Tulasi is offered. All the photos are morphed ones and the allegations that are being leveled are baseless.”

However, over the photos, going viral on social media, prophets and elites consider it as an effort to tarnish the significance of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and even a threat towards the religious faiths and spirituality of devotees.