“A Monk Can Guide, Must Not Take Part In Politics”

The Digamber Jain muni or holy preacher, Tarun Sagar, recently addressed the Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh. His metaphor—politics and religion follow each other like a woman follows her husband—sparked off a row. If those views leave room for debate on his views, Sagar clarifies them further in an interview with Arushi Bedi.

From your point of view, do religion and politics mix well?

Our traditions dictate that dharma is intr­insic to governance. The ‘niti’ in rajaniti signifies religion. This is why the English word ‘secular’, although figuring in the Constitution, has no relevance in our political arena. Religion itself has the power to make humans large-hearted. India will never be without religion. That would be like trying to delink Bharat from its own identity. Religion is the very soul of India.How can you separate the two?

Does that mean you approve of those using religion as a political tool?

Think of it like this. After a hundred years, a house becomes old. Similarly, after 1,000 years, religion gets infected with disease. It starts losing its essence. That is why, religion should be burned every thousand years. After you have put religion through fire, it shines even more. Its impurities are burnt to ashes. No religion propagates violence, but people belonging to some religions shelter terror.

But could you state how involved religion should be in politics?

Since antiquity, Indian kings have worked under the guidance of monks. Even today, we should govern ourselves like that. A monk can guide politicians, but should never take part in pure politics. Politics is like a dirty well, and would dirty a monk who steps in it. I have delivered addresses in state assemblies because it’s important for propagators of religion to converse with lawmakers. The most dangerous people are in such places (assemblies).

Why are politicians so dangerous?

Parliament itself is the biggest problem—a survey says 160 MPs have criminal cases against them. We should ensure that thieves don’t climb the stairs of the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabhas.

What are your thoughts on prime minister Narendra Modi?

Modi has performed far better than any other premier. He is working beyond our expectations. We all expect more from him but things cannot be done overnight.

Where do you think he has not been able to deliver?

When Modi was Gujarat CM, he attended a function I hosted and spoke against the export of meat and leather from India. Indian traditions talk about karuna (compassion) and culling of animals goes against this. Since the new government has come they have been unable to deliver on this promise. I had huge faith in the Modi government to ban all meat export, but he hasn’t been able to deliver.

What about the thousands who depend on these trades?

Look, the export business is driven by money. That is why the government is encouraging it. When I brought this up before Modi, his main defence was that meat exp­orts supported many livelihoods. The problem is, while money and trade increase, so do evil. The government can’t stop people from consuming meat  but we can at least stop the trade of meat. The government even gives a lot of subsidies to exporters. It should withdraw these subsidies.

In the Haryana assembly, you also spoke about the sex ratio in India. How do you understand this phenomenon?

The Indian psyche dictates that only a boy can take the family’s name ahead. Until this way of thinking is changed, the girl child is in eternal danger. Because of female foeticide, every house has been converted into a slaughterhouse. Parents are contracting out the killing of their girl children to doctors. Female foeticide has put the festival of raksha bandhan is in danger.

So you do believe that women and men are equal?

It is nature that has put man in first position and woman after him. Man has no control over this. I have been asked bef­ore if my saying so doesn’t reduce a woman. My answer is, I am not diluting women’s authority or their rights. I’m simply stating a natural fact. Even when you take the holy pheras while getting married, the man leads. A house where man and woman walk together is bound to fail. A household is only secure if the woman always walks behind the man.