Protecting our dharma is our responsibility: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan said that Sanatana Dharma is not superstition but a spiritual science that has guided humanity with knowledge and discipline. He stressed that Hindus must first safeguard their own dharma and raise their voice when it is under attack. He said that in Tamil Nadu legal battles were required simply to practice and protect dharma and added that awareness among every Hindu is essential to prevent such circumstances in the future.

Pawan Kalyan visited the Udupi Sri Krishna temple and received blessings from Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of the Paryaya Puthige Math. He participated in the Brihat Geetotsava where Swamiji conferred on him the title Abhinava Krishnadevaraya.

Speaking at the event Pawan Kalyan said the Indian Constitution carries a depiction of Krishna teaching the Gita to Arjuna on the page listing the Directive Principles, symbolising that constitutional values like justice, equality and responsibility are rooted in dharma. He said Sanatana Dharma is often misrepresented and that silence at such times is harmful. He described Puthige Math’s initiatives as cultural and civilisational responsibilities beyond spiritual practice. He praised the achievement of writing the Bhagavad Gita by one crore people by hand and the mass recitation of Gita verses, calling it a protective shield of collective spiritual force.

He said the Gita is not confined to a religion or region and serves as a guide, mentor and compass for moral strength. He urged the younger generation to read it not as a ceremonial book kept in a prayer room but as a source of clarity during confusion and stress. He said everyone faces small Kurukshetras in daily life involving moral choices and the Gita provides direction at such moments.

Pawan Kalyan said the Gita taught him selfless duty. During the Andhra Pradesh elections he faced dilemmas similar to Arjuna’s and chose to contest only 21 seats because he believed state interest outweighed personal or political gain. He said leadership requires linking every action to morality and service. He noted that global thinkers and scientists including Einstein and Oppenheimer drew inspiration from the Gita.

Describing his visit to Udupi he said the temple town offers a profound spiritual experience and is a centre of India’s spiritual energy. He noted that Math heads recently bestowed the title Bharat Bhagya Vidhata on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his long standing work to strengthen Indian culture.

TTD Board member Anand Sai also attended the event.