Swami Agnivesh, 81, who died September 11, 2020, in Delhi, was a multi-crusader social activist best known for his work against bonded labour. He also campaigned against female foeticide and Dalit rights. A man with a world vision of one-humanity, he argued that people should be allowed full freedom of movement across borders through the elimination of passports and immigration laws.

By Promod Puri

Not all Hindus belong to the BJP, nor does BJP represent Hinduism in its real spiritual sense.

It is with this logic I remember saffron-clad Swami Agnivesh, who fought for social justice on his Hindu turf instead under the Hindutva ideology of the BJP.

Swami Agnivesh, 81, who died September 11, 2020, in Delhi, was a multi-crusader social activist best known for his work against bonded labour.

He also campaigned against female foeticide and Dalit rights.

A man with a world vision of one-humanity, he argued that people should be allowed full freedom of movement across borders through the elimination of passports and immigration laws.

Swami Agnivesh was a leader of Arya Samaj, a prominent sect of Hindusim. But in 2008, he was expelled from the denomination for his radical and progressive views and activities.

His most critical and controversial views were:

That the Puri Jagannath temple in Orissa should be opened to non-Hindus as well, the temple priests vigorously opposed the remarks as "purely anti-Hindu in nature," and they burnt his effigy.

In May 2011, hundreds of Hindu priests protested against Agnivesh's claim that the oval-shaped ice lingam representing Lord Shiva in Amarnath cave in Kashmir is just a piece of ice.

Swami Agnivesh's dislike for the governing BJP and the rest of its "Parivar" or clan members for their anti-Dalit and anti-minority agenda got him physically attacked. As an "agent of Pakistan," he was called to "go back."

For the BJP with its ideological guideline of Hindutva, Swami Agnivesh could be a rebel, but for many, he represented the democratic and progressive sentiments and values of Hinduism.

Promod Puri is a writer and author of Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs, And Traditions. Websites: promodpuri.com, progressivehindudialogue.com