Ahmedabad

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday stated that a government failing to respect and uphold the values of Sanatan Dharma would never regain power in India, attributing this belief to the blessings of saints.

Speaking at an event organized by the Swaminarayan sect in Gandhinagar, Shah highlighted that followers of Sanatan traditions had waited decades after Independence for a government that would govern according to their spiritual and cultural principles.

“I am confident that, with the blessings of saints, a government that disappoints followers of Sanatan Dharma will never come to power again in this country,” he said.

The gathering also marked the 200th anniversary of the Shikshapatri, a revered code of conduct composed of 212 Sanskrit verses by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in 1826. The text outlines moral, social, and spiritual guidance, emphasizing non-violence, purity, diet, and daily duties.

Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11-year leadership, citing the construction of the Ram temple—destroyed over 550 years ago—as fulfilling a long-cherished aspiration. He also pointed to key decisions of the Modi government, such as the abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of triple talaq, and the initiation of a Common Civil Code, as reflective of a commitment to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

He further highlighted initiatives promoting yoga, Ayurveda, cow protection, and the renovation of pilgrimage sites including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Kashi Vishwanath, and Somnath.

Shah described Lord Swaminarayan’s contributions to Gujarat and Indian society as transformative, noting that the saint worked to reform society during the British era by opposing casteism and untouchability, promoting girls’ education, and discouraging animal sacrifice.

“The Shikshapatri serves as a moral constitution for life, providing guidance on self-discipline, social conduct, compassion, and duty. Its teachings remain relevant today, including advice on transparency in personal and financial matters,” Shah said.

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He added that the Swaminarayan Sampradaya continues to protect Sanatan values and work toward social upliftment. “The welfare of all is the essence of the Shikshapatri, which conveys India’s ancient cultural consciousness and instills discipline among people,” he noted.