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PM Modi honoured as ‘Dharma Chakravarti’ on Jain saint Vidyanand’s centenary

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday honoured with the title of ‘Dharma Chakravarti’ on centenary celebrations of Jain spiritual leader Vidyanand at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.The title, symbolising a righteous ruler and upholder of dharma, was conferred on PM Modi.Speaking on receiving the award, PM Modi said, “On this occasion, you honoured me with the title of ‘Dharma Chakravarti’. I do not consider myself suitable for this. But it is our culture that whatever we receive from saints, we accept it as ‘prasad’. So, I humbly accept this ‘prasad’ and dedicate it to Maa Bharati’.”The centenary celebrations mark the beginning of a year-long national tribute to the revered saint and scholar, organised jointly by the Union ministry of culture and the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “Today, we are all witnessing a significant occasion in India’s spiritual tradition. This centenary celebration of Acharya Vidyanand Maharaj, filled with the devotion of his countless followers, has created an extraordinary atmosphere that is truly inspiring for all of us.”According to ANI, the event was also attended by Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Rashtrasant Paramparacharya Pragyasagar Muniraj, alongside other dignitaries, parliamentarians, and Jain acharyas.“This day is also special because on 28th June 1987, Acharya Vidyanand Muniraj received the title of ‘Acharya’. It wasn’t just an honour but it was also a ‘pavitra dhaara’ connecting the Jain culture to ideas, restraint and compassion. When we are celebrating his 100th birth anniversary today, it reminds us of that historic moment”, PM Modi said.PM Modi also visited a specially curated exhibition titled “Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj”, which showcased murals, paintings, and rare archival material chronicling the saint’s contributions.PM Modi hailed the renowned Jain saint as ‘Yug Purush’ and ‘Yug Drashta’. He said, “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience his spiritual aura in person. He gave me his guidance from time to time. I always had his blessings. Today, from this stage of his centenary celebrations, I can feel his love and closeness.”Born in 1925 in Shedbal, Belagavi (Karnataka), Vidyanand became one of the most respected Jain monks of modern India. According to news agency PTI, he memorised over 8,000 Jain Agamic verses and authored more than 50 influential works, including Jain Darshan, Anekantvad, and Mokshmarg Darshan. He lived a life of extreme austerity, walked barefoot across the country, and promoted spiritual egalitarianism and inter-sect harmony.His historical contributions include designing the official Jain Flag and Emblem during the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Bhagwan Mahavir in 1975. The five-colour flag and the Ahimsa hand symbol are now universally accepted across Jain traditions. He was also pivotal in identifying Basokund in Bihar as Bhagwan Mahavir’s birthplace — a finding recognised by the Indian government in 1956.The centenary year will be observed until April 22, 2026, through nationwide cultural, literary, educational, and spiritual programmes. As per the Culture Ministry, it will include temple outreach, interfaith dialogues, youth engagement, and Jain heritage awareness initiatives.A commemorative stamp and coin were released, alongside a biographical volume detailing saint’s life.

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its voter verification drive in Bihar and West Bengal, claiming it resembled a covert attempt to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the back door. “The EC is trying to bring the NRC in from the back door,” he said. Drawing a historical comparison, he added, “In 1935 under the Nazis, you were supposed to be given an ancestor pass. Some proof of paper to show that you are an Indian citizen—is this the new version of that Nazi Ancestor Pass?”O’Brien detailed the ECI’s new procedure which, according to him, mandates excessive documentary proof from voters depending on their birth year. “Those born before July 1987 have to show proof of birth and birthplace. Those born between 1987 and 2004 must submit their own proof along with one parent’s. Anyone born after December 2004 must produce documents for themselves and both parents,” he said, warning that failure to comply could result in removal from the electoral roll. “Unless you submit this in the next one month, your name will be deleted from the list.”

He questioned the timing of the exercise, particularly in Bengal, claiming it coincided with internal BJP surveys predicting poor performance in the state. “We have evidence that the latest BJP internal survey for Bengal shows they would win 46 to 49 seats. In desperation, they are resorting to desperate things,” he said, warning that the ECI “should not turn into the branch office of the BJP.”All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier echoed O’Brien’s concerns, calling the verification drive a secret NRC operation that could disenfranchise thousands of poor voters in Bihar. “To be enrolled in the voter roll, every citizen will now have to show documents proving when and where they were born, and also when and where their parents were born,” he said in a post on X. “To expect the poorest, especially in flood-prone Seemanchal, to possess their parents’ documents is a cruel joke.”He also pointed to the 1995 Supreme Court judgement in the Lal Babu Hussein case, which ruled that a registered voter cannot be removed without proper notice and due process. “Citizenship cannot be proven only through a limited set of documents. All types of relevant evidence must be considered,” he said, warning that the ECI’s one-month door-to-door verification plan is unworkable in a state like Bihar, with its large, marginalised population.