Intellectual bankruptcy of ‘The Goan’ : Equating Sanatan’s innocence with Pakistan’s deception

The Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav was held from May 17 to 19 on the grounds of the Engineering College in Farmagudi, Goa, to mark the 83rd birth anniversary of the founder of Sanatan Sanstha, Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale, and the Silver Jubilee of the Sanstha. The event received wide publicity across India; however, some local media in Goa criticised it, seeking to satisfy their deep-rooted anti-Sanatan bias. The English daily ‘The Goan’ published an editorial on 18th May, criticising the Sanatan Sanstha. Below is a rebuttal to its points.

1. ‘The Goan’ feels uneasy as Goa’s Chief Minister attends the event

Criticism: Goa’s Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant attended an event to mark the 83rd birth anniversary of the founder of Sanatan Sanstha, Jayant Athavale, and the Silver Jubilee of the Sanstha held on Saturday, along with two ministers, North Goa’s MP, and the BJP State President. This might be the first official recognition given by the Goa Government to a far-right organisation. CM Sawant also praised the work of Sanatan Sanstha.

Rebuttal :

A. Sanatan Sanstha is a spiritual organisation working in the fields of spirituality, social service, national protection, and Dharma awareness for the past 25 years across India, including Goa. Based on its accomplishments, the CM and other ministers attended the event. Instead of labelling it as a ‘far-right organisation’, The Goan should attempt to understand Sanatan’s work.

B. Sanatan’s impact is global. Through the spiritual practices it recommends, hundreds of lives have been transformed worldwide. But the Goan, blinded by hatred for Sanatan, cannot tolerate its success.

2. ‘The Goan’ plays judge above the judiciary to frame Sanatan Sanstha as guilty

Criticism: Former and current members of the Sanstha have been accused—and in some cases convicted—of violent acts, which has led governments to distance themselves from the organisation.

Rebuttal: No follower of Sanatan has ever been convicted of violent acts. On the contrary, courts have acquitted them and criticised investigative agencies for wrongful persecution. The editorial writer should check Court verdicts before making such claims.

3. ‘The Goan’ compares Sanatan Sanstha to Pakistan in a display of hatred

Criticism: The organization has undoubtedly denied involvement in any violent attacks and claims that either the convicted individuals are no longer affiliated with it or that all those connected to it have been acquitted. But Pakistan too has consistently denied any involvement in terrorist attacks on Indian soil. Therefore, every such denial must be weighed carefully.

Rebuttal: There is a world of difference between Sanatan Sanstha rejecting false allegations of violence and Pakistan denying its well-documented role in terrorism. To date, no investigative agency in India has found any evidence proving Sanatan’s involvement in violent acts. In contrast, there is extensive proof with the Indian Government that Pakistan has been directly involved in sponsoring terrorism in India. Therefore, equating Sanatan Sanstha — an organisation dedicated to national protection and religious awakening — with Pakistan, a state sponsor of terror, reflects nothing short of ‘The Goan’s’ intellectual bankruptcy.

4. ‘The Goan’ thinks it is wiser than the judiciary

Criticism: Legally, Sanatan Sanstha may be able to claim partial denial regarding its involvement in bomb blasts, multiple murders, and past violent incidents. However, public memory persists. Acquittal due to lack of evidence is not a certificate of innocence. If the main accused in a murder case is acquitted, it does not mean the murder didn’t occur or that no one committed it.

Rebuttal: In the Margao blast case, the investigating agencies were specifically criticised for attempting to frame Sanatan Sanstha. ‘The Goan’ has deliberately ignored this! The editorial team, by acting like judges, is showing its lack of faith in the judicial system. Those who argue that ‘acquittal due to lack of evidence is not a certificate of innocence’ should also remember that accusations against Sanatan, Sadhvi Pragya Singh, and Col. Purohit were part of a larger conspiracy by appeasement-driven elements to fabricate the narrative of ‘Hindu terrorism’. That context cannot be overlooked.

5. No former Chief Minister of Goa has ever attended or appeared on stage at events organised by the Sanstha.

(So does that mean the current Chief Minister should also not attend? The same people who cry about ‘freedom of expression’ don’t understand this? – Editor)

6. Those who claim to care about the values of Gomantak land should speak about the cultural decline happening in Goa !

Criticism : As the Chief Minister of the State, Sawant’s presence at the event organised by the Sanstha sends the wrong message. In a State that values the diversity of its religion, culture, and local religious traditions, there is nothing more disgraceful than supporting people who pose a threat to these values.

Rebuttal :

A. The Chief Minister’s presence at the event of an organisation working for the upliftment of society and the nation reflects his commitment to those causes.

B. Does ‘The Goan’, which claims to worry about the moral values of Gomantak land, not find the decline in those values due to drug trafficking, immoral events, and the growing number of Bangladeshi infiltrators equally disgraceful ?

C. The public display of relics at Old Goa is also controversial. Some even say it is a glorification of a terrorist. All State-level arrangements are made there. Will ‘The Goan’ say anything about that ? Or is that acceptable ?