Andhra Pradesh: Pawan Kalyan announces Varahi Declaration, calls for national, state boards to protect Sanatana Dharma

HYDERABAD: In a powerful address that ignited the sentiments of Sanatana Dharma supporters, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced the Varahi Declaration on the spiritual stage of Tirupati, making it resonate across the nation.

After concluding his 11-day penance, Pawan Kalyan addressed the Varahi Sabha on Thursday evening at Tirupati. Speaking in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, he expressed his anguish over the obstacles facing Sanatana Dharma and laid out his way forward for its protection before the people.

Speaking passionately before a gathering of followers and political leaders, Dy chief minister condemned the growing attacks on Sanatana Dharma and called for unity in the face of such challenges.  He called for establishing a board at both national and state levels dedicated to protecting Sanatana Dharma.

Varahi Declaration:

1. Secularism must be upheld in a manner that ensures uniform response to any threat or harm caused to any religion or faith.

2. A strong national Act is required to protect Sanatana Dharma and prevent actions that harm its beliefs. This Act should be enacted immediately and uniformly enforced across the nation.

3. A “Sanatana Dharma Protection Board” should be established at both the national and state levels to oversee the implementation of this Act

4. Annual funds must be allocated to support this board and its activities.

5. There should be non-cooperation to individuals or organizations that defame or spread hatred against Sanatana Dharma.

6. Sanathana Dharma Certification  must be implemented to ensure the purity of materials used in offerings and prasadam at temples.

7. Temples should evolve not only as spiritual centers but also as centres for promoting art & culture, education, economy, environmental conservation and welfare with comprehensive planning.

Varahi Declaration!#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/oNwKAFcvUN

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 4, 2024

He asserted that secularism must be practised in a manner that ensures a uniform response to any attack on any religion or faith. Kalyan emphasised the need for annual funding for the preservation of Sanatana Dharma, questioning whether Hindus should remain indifferent when their beliefs are disparaged. He condemned pseudo-secularists for speaking irresponsibly about Sanatana Dharma and Hindu traditions and called for accountability from Jagan regarding the mistakes made under the TTD board he appointed.

Mr Jagan Reddy’s cases & his 5 years regime (2019-2024) explained !#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/gZ4QWQcThT

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 4, 2024

In his defence of Sanatana Dharma, Pawan Kalyan questioned the hypocrisy of the judiciary and the legal system that seems to operate with a double standard. “Those who insult Sanatana Dharma get away, while laws that protect other religions work like magic,” he said. He expressed frustration over the legal bias, pointing out that Hindu traditions are often mocked with impunity. “It’s like feeding the privileged on plates, while others make do with leaves,” he remarked, criticising how the judiciary has shielded offenders who disparage Hinduism.

“Jagan, the man who insulted judges,” Kalyan thundered, as he listed the transgressions of the YSR Congress Party (YCP) leader. He highlighted how YCP leaders approached the Supreme Court over the “laddu” issue, despite their leader, Jagan, having dozens of pending cases. “Jagan has looted thousands of crores and even dared to insult Supreme Court judges with abusive language,” Kalyan exclaimed, emphasising how more than 30,000 girls went missing under Jagan’s leadership, while the state remained silent. He also reminded the audience of the desecration of 219 temples during Jagan’s tenure, including the beheading of Lord Rama’s idol in Ramatheertham and the burning of a chariot in Antarvedi, for which no culprits were brought to justice.

Secularism can never be one way,
It has to be two way.
“Take respect, Give respect.” – JanaSena Party Chief Sri @PawanKalyan in Tirupati Varahi declaration meeting#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/I9WzbM8nOv

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 3, 2024

He questions why Gandhi believes that Hindus should not have the right to express their sentiments regarding their faith and traditions. By trivializing the inauguration of the Ram Temple as a “song and dance,” Gandhi dismisses the deep emotional significance it holds for countless Hindus. Kalyan challenges him to explain how it is justifiable for him to label Hindus expressing their pain and anger as religious fanatics, while he remains silent on real issues affecting Sanatana Dharma. He highlights the hypocrisy in Gandhi’s party, which reacts promptly to perceived insults towards other religions but turns a blind eye to the ongoing insults directed at Hindu beliefs.

Pawan Kalyan also questioned the silence of former TTD EO, Dharma Reddy, on the laddu controversy, asking why he hasn’t come forward to clarify the numerous irregularities during his tenure. “Hundreds of crores were diverted under the guise of the Srivani Trust,” Kalyan revealed, stressing that the investigations into the alleged misdeeds must be thorough, and accountability must be established.

I hate to be political right, I prefer speaking truth#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/FYa6z3Vu16

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 3, 2024

The fiery speech culminated in Kalyan leading the attendees through the Varahi Declaration pledge, calling on everyone to commit to the protection and preservation of Sanatana Dharma. His defiant tone resonated with the audience as he urged Hindus to unite against the onslaught on their beliefs and fight for justice.

ఏ మతానికి, ఏ ధర్మానికి భంగం వాటిల్లినా ఒకేలా స్పందించేలా లౌకికవాదాన్ని పాటించాలి

తిరుపతి వారాహి సభలో వారాహి డిక్లరేషన్ ప్రకటించి, ప్రసంగించిన ఉప ముఖ్యమంత్రివర్యులు శ్రీ @PawanKalyan గారు#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/ilCsnSVxut

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 3, 2024

Excerpts from his speech:

“As a person who practices Sanatana Dharma with complete sincerity, I announce the Varahi Declaration after an 11-day penance, with the blessings of Swami. If there is an attack on Sanatana Dharma, Indian society must raise a unified voice, transcending parties and regions, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Secularism should be followed in such a way that it responds equally when any religion or faith is harmed. A strong law is required to prevent actions that violate beliefs in the name of protecting Sanatana Dharma. A decision must be made immediately for this. A Sanatana Dharma Protection Board should be established at national and state levels to implement that law. Funds should be allocated annually for this. A system should be introduced to certify the quality and purity of the materials used in daily offerings and prasadam in temples. Temples should not only serve as spiritual centres but also fully transform into centres for education, arts, economy, environmental protection, and welfare.”

If there is an attack on Sanatana Dharma do we have to keep quiet ?#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/JtaR0fsrUl

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 3, 2024

Pawan Kalyan said, “I worship my religion and respect other religions. I have never spoken in a way that insults other religions or faiths. I have never offered help based on religion. When we provided financial aid to tenant farmers’ families, there were Muslims, there were Christians. I respect all religions… all I ask is just one thing—do not insult the faith I follow.”

• It’s time for all Hindus to unite

Courage and valour are the foundations of a progressive society. Prosperity exists where there is courage. Hindu society has been divided by caste and region. The time has come for all Hindus to unite. Sanatana Dharma has no colour or discrimination; all this prejudice was brought by Macaulay. We must be cautious of those who seek to harm Sanatana Dharma. In the next elections, let’s reduce them from 11 seats to just one. Unity in diversity does not mean bringing all religions together while isolating and destroying Hindu Dharma. To those who say they want to bury Sanatana Dharma in the dust, we have only one thing to say: many have come and gone, but Sanatana Dharma has remained eternal since time immemorial. Whoever tries to touch Sanatana Dharma will perish—beware.

• Silenced in the name of secularism

There have been many attacks on Hindu deities in this country. If they insult Lord Rama, are we not supposed to speak up? They say ours is a secular country. If someone insults the deities of other religions, will they be let off? Hindus have been silenced in the name of secularism. In the first publication of the Constitution, images of sages performing yajnas, Krishna teaching the essence of the Gita to Arjuna, Buddha gaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Mahavira, Nataraja, and even Mughals were included. This was an attempt to showcase unity in diversity. But now, that is no longer the case. Recently, Modi Ji has been trying to bring it back. Since the time of Partition, attacks on Sanatana Dharma have been happening. In the name of secularism, the average person has resorted to silence. Politicians, public figures, and those with fame have remained silent. Even though they knew the attacks on Sanatana Dharma were inevitable, they didn’t speak up. I have no such fears. I will speak. We are not attacking other religions, we are merely stating our responsibility. Everyone must realise that secularism in this country should not be one-way but two-way.

You want votes of Sanatani Hindus; but you don’t respect Lord Rama#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/Obnu8Gtp27

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 3, 2024

• Never thought I’d have to speak like this

I follow Sanatana Dharma. I firmly believe in Hindu Sanatana Dharma. At the same time, I wholeheartedly respect the practices, customs, and traditions of other religions. For more than a decade, I have been personally insulted, humiliated, and ridiculed. None of that ever bothered me. But today, when there’s a threat to the Hindu Sanatana Dharma that I follow, I cannot stand by and watch. Even after 100 days of this coalition government’s rule, I have never participated in public gatherings. I only wished for the state’s financial problems to be solved, for unemployment to be eradicated, and for welfare and development to be realised fully. However, the unexpected developments in the state have deeply disturbed me.

Hearing that ghee made from animal remnants was used in the offerings and prasadam at the abode of Sri Venkateswara Swami, the deity of the Kali Yuga, has hurt my sentiments. If I don’t speak out now about the disrespect being shown, if I don’t take a stand to protect Hindu Sanatana Dharma, I will never be able to forgive myself. I have never engaged in revenge politics, nor will I. I have never spoken with politics in mind, and I don’t do things for political gain… I won’t. I strongly believe that if we protect dharma, it will protect us. I live by the principle of ‘Dharma raksati rakshitah’ (He who protects dharma, dharma protects him). As someone who honours Sanatana Dharma, I cannot remain silent when it is being disrespected, and that’s why I’m speaking out now.

Prasadam made with adulterated ghee was offered to Sri Venkateswara Swami, the household deity of millions. I had already warned the previous government, in a meeting held in Tirupati in the presence of Swami, about the ongoing disrespect. They did not change, which is why that divine Lord reduced them to 11 seats. Today, I have come before the people to confront those who are against Sanatana Dharma and those who claim they will destroy it. I am not speaking today as a Deputy Chief Minister or as the President of the Jana Sena Party. I have come to share with the people the pain I feel as an ordinary Indian who follows Sanatana Dharma.

• Being insulted for undertaking penance

Sanatana Dharma embodies unity in diversity. Even in my gatherings, if I hear the call for Namaz, I halt the event to show respect. Sanatana Dharma wishes for the well-being of everyone in the world family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam). Sri Rama is the embodiment of Sanatana Dharma. When I began penance for the offence committed in the offering to my deity, I was criticised in various ways. They accused me of playing politics and insulted me. To all of them, I have only one thing to say: How is it wrong to follow my own dharma? Penance is a part of my Sanatana Dharma. I have never spoken against the practices or customs of other religions. I am merely following and striving to protect my own dharma.

• Speaking freely under the guise of secularism

Some pseudo-secularists, in the name of being secular, speak as they please. They make reckless allegations about Sanatana Dharma and Hindu traditions. How does a young leader in Tamil Nadu calling Sanatana Dharma a virus that must be eradicated from the country fit under secularism? Would they speak the same way about Islam or Christianity? These secularists don’t speak about issues in Muslim countries… they only act as if they have the right to criticise Hindu Sanatana Dharma. I have always upheld dharma. I have come forward in this fight, even willing to give my life to protect Sanatana Dharma. Since my daughter follows Russian Orthodox Christianity, I only took her for the darshan of Sri Venkateswara after making a declaration, as per dharma. That was my personal purity of intention.

• Don’t our sentiments get hurt by Rahul Gandhi’s words?

As someone with unwavering faith in Sanatana Dharma, I will keep moving forward. The path I walk on may be fraught with challenges, but I remain steadfast. Secularists talk as if the common Hindu in this country has no right to sentiments. Even if Lord Rama, whom we worship as a god, is beaten with sandals, or if books are written saying the Ramayana is not a tree of life but a poisonous one, or if Sri Ramachandra’s head is severed, Hindus are not supposed to come out and express their pain and anger. If we do, we are branded as religious fanatics. For these pseudo-secularists, it doesn’t matter what happens to Hindu Sanatana Dharma, its customs, or practices. But if a minor mistake is made regarding other religions, they speak up immediately. They offer adulterated ghee, ghee with animal residues, as offerings to Hindu gods, and then send thousands of laddus made with that same ghee for the inauguration of Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. When Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the principal opposition party in this country, describes the Ram Temple inauguration as a “song and dance,” Hindus are expected not to feel hurt. How is that possible? You can insult us, no problem. But if you insult Sri Rama, whom we worship, we will not stay silent. When Rahul Gandhi speaks this way, don’t our sentiments get hurt?

• Don’t Hindus even have the right to feel hurt?

How can we be expected not to react when Sri Rama, whom we consider God, is insulted? Can these people, hiding under the guise of secularism, speak in the same way about a Christian or a Muslim? Hindus are expected not to feel hurt, even if there are attacks on Sanatana Dharma. How is it right that we are not allowed to express our pain and must remain silent? Is that justice? No matter what affronts the sentiments of Hindus, these pseudo-secularists say we must endure it in silence, gritting our teeth, without speaking out. Should Hindus lock themselves in their homes and cry in private? This is an outrage. Hindus must stop ridiculing their own faith. The days of crying within the four walls of our homes when Sri Rama is insulted must end. We should no longer tolerate people saying that Sri Rama is only a god of the North.

• One rule for some, another for others should not exist.

Pseudo-secularists must be appropriately punished by the law and judiciary. Courts should act strongly against those who insult Sanatana Dharma. The laws that work powerfully when other religions are defamed seem weak and inconsistent when Sanatana Dharma is ridiculed. Those who speak against Sanatana Dharma should not receive protection from the judiciary. There shouldn’t be a situation where some are served on leaves, while others are served on silver plates. This disparity has now worsened to the point where some are handed everything directly. There should be equal treatment whenever any religion is harmed or its traditions are violated. While respecting other religions equally, I will remain devoted to protecting Sanatana Dharma throughout my life.

• I have immense respect for the judiciary.

I have great respect for the Indian judiciary and the Indian Supreme Court. However, my desire is that when judges resolve petitions in key cases, they should also take into account the past history of those involved, as well as the cases they have previously faced. I sincerely wish that the previous court cases against Jagan be considered and taken forward. I also hope the court cases pending against Jagan are fast-tracked. Jagan acts very innocently, like when he, as Chief Minister, personally wrapped laddus. We never said that act made them impure. I only mentioned that the error occurred under the TTD board appointed during his tenure. Why feel guilty when the issue of impurity in the Lord’s laddus is raised? If we ask for an investigation into the impurity in the Lord’s laddu offering, they accuse us of playing religious politics or diversionary politics. Why would we engage in diversionary politics? It’s only been 100 days since we came to power. We have held village meetings in over 13,000 villages simultaneously. We provided pensions to millions in one day. What is there to hide or divert in this?

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu never spoke about the adulteration in the ghee used for laddus before the media. During the 100-day rule of our coalition, he only presented the mistakes of the previous government to 164 MLAs and 21 MPs. Only after receiving the appropriate report did he inform his fellow representatives. Mistakes were made under the TTD board appointed by Jagan, and Jagan must take responsibility for that.

• Jagan, the man who insulted judges

YCP leaders approached the Supreme Court regarding the laddu issue. Jagan has dozens of pending cases against him. He looted thousands of crores and even insulted Supreme Court judges with abusive language. During his tenure, over 30,000 girls went missing, yet he didn’t say a word to the media. There were 219 attacks on temples, Sri Rama’s idol was beheaded in Ramatheertham, and a chariot was set on fire in Antarvedi. In five years, not a single culprit was caught. He took away the livelihoods of 3.5 million construction workers, diverting ₹450 crores from their welfare fund. Through policy terrorism, he drove many industries out of the state. He was responsible for the deaths of 18 people in Jangareddygudem due to spurious liquor. He diverted ₹2,000 crores from the Abhaya Hastham scheme. He spent ₹2,500 crores just to paint and repaint government offices with party colours. The NGT imposed a ₹100 crore fine for bypassing environmental clearance for the Avulapalli reservoir. Venkat Reddy was arrested for ₹2,566 crore corruption in the sand and mining mafia. I urge the judiciary to take Jagan’s actions into account. His past should also be thoroughly examined.

• Where is the former EO, Dharma Reddy?

YCP leaders are making a drama out of the laddu issue, speaking with camphor flames in their hands, claiming that death is inevitable if there’s a mistake. However, YV Subbareddy and Karunakar Reddy are saying no mistake occurred, but where is the then-TTD EO, Dharma Reddy? Why hasn’t he spoken up? Where is he now? Many misdeeds occurred during his tenure. He entered the temple within 11 days of his child’s death, and several irregularities happened under his leadership. Hundreds of crores were diverted under the guise of the Srivani Trust. They collected ₹10,000 but issued receipts for only ₹500, misusing the funds at will. Investigations are underway on all these matters. We will bring everything to light. Everyone must be committed to protecting and preserving Sanatana Dharma. If there is any harm to Hindu Dharma, we must unite and fight against it. Those responsible should be punished accordingly—this is my only wish,” he said.

The man missing in the action former TTD EO Dharma Reddy.#PawanKalyanForSanatanaDharma#VarahiDeclaration#SanatanaDharmaRakshaBoard pic.twitter.com/VIltyOrVx0

— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) October 4, 2024

After the speech, Pawan Kalyan personally administered the Varahi Declaration pledge to the attendees. Among those present at the meeting were Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu, Railway Koduru MLA Arava Sridhar, MLC Pidugu Hariprasad, BJP State Spokesperson Bhanuprakash Reddy, TDP leader Narasimha Yadav, and Jana Sena Party Programme Management Committee Chairman Kalyanam Shiva Srinivas, among others.