Rajkot: A religious controversy has ignited in Gujarat after Swami Gyanprakash, a member of the Swaminarayan sect from Amroli, Surat, made controversial claims linking the revered saint Jalaram Bapa to Swami Gunatitanand, a prominent figure in the Swaminarayan tradition. The statements have sparked outrage among the Lohana community, to which Jalaram Bapa belonged, and his devotees, who are demanding an apology.

The Controversial Claim:

Swami Gyanprakash, in a widely circulated video, asserted that Jalaram Bapa’s history is intertwined with Swami Gunatitanand. He further claimed that Jalaram Bapa sought blessings from Gunatitanand for his “Sadavrat” (free food distribution) to continue perpetually, and that Gunatitanand blessed him with an eternally full granary. He also stated that Jalaram Bapa served dal and baati (lentils and bread) to Gunatitanand during his visit to Virpur and spent considerable time serving at the Junagadh Swaminarayan temple.

Backlash and Demands for Apology:

These claims have been strongly condemned by Jalaram Bapa’s devotees and the Raghuwanshi community. They have demanded that Swami Gyanprakash travel to Virpur, the site of Jalaram Bapa’s shrine, and publicly apologize for his statements. A meeting of community leaders, traders, and representatives of various organizations is scheduled in Virpur to discuss further action.

Swift Retraction and Apology (Later Deleted):

Faced with mounting criticism, Swami Gyanprakash released a video apologizing for his remarks. He explained that he had read about the incident in a book and a magazine and felt compelled to share it to highlight Jalaram Bapa’s greatness. He apologized for hurting the sentiments of any community or individual and stated that he had deleted the original video.

Community Rejects Apology and Demands Visit to Virpur:

Despite the apology video, the Lohana community of Rajkot has rejected it and reiterated its demand for Swami Gyanprakash to visit Virpur and apologize personally at the Jalaram Bapa shrine. They have threatened to hold a “dhun” (devotional singing) dedicated to Jalaram Bapa at the Amroli Swaminarayan temple if their demand is not met. Devotees from Junagadh, Porbandar, Ahmedabad, and Surat have also pledged their support.

Jalaram Bapa’s Lineage Distances Itself:

Bharatbhai Chandrani, the current head of the Virpur temple and a descendant of Jalaram Bapa, has clarified that the family does not endorse Swami Gyanprakash’s claims. He emphasized that Jalaram Bapa’s inspiration for starting the “Annakshetra” (free kitchen) came from Bhojalaram Bapa, and that his primary deity was Lord Ram, whose name he constantly chanted.

The Controversy Continues:

The controversy underscores the sensitive nature of religious sentiments and the importance of respecting historical figures and traditions. While Swami Gyanprakash has issued an apology, the demand for a personal visit to Virpur highlights the depth of the community’s anger and the need for a more tangible gesture of reconciliation. The situation remains tense as the community awaits further action from the Swami.