Varanasi, Oct 28 (UNI) Renowned storyteller Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri today said that the biggest challenge facing the country today is casteism, which is dividing society.
At a book launch event at the Rudraksh Convention Center in Sigra, Varanasi, Shastri said that a padayatra (foot march) will be held from Delhi to Vrindavan from November 7 to 16 with the aim of uniting the country.
"The purpose of the padayatra is to promote nationalism, not casteism, in this country. We want nationalism, not casteism. This is the core message of this padayatra," he said.
He said, "The padayatra will foster social harmony, Hindu unity,and cultural renaissance. The primary objective of the padayatra is to make India a Hindu nation. We don't want a Hindu nation on paper, we want a Hindu nation in the hearts of the people."
Shastri said that more than 65 countries are Muslim, more than 95 are Christian and one is Buddhist. "Therefore, India, with a population of 140 crore, should be a Hindu nation, one that is in the hearts of the people. Future generations like Gen Z, Generation Alpha, Beta can get acquainted with our culture," he said.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Assam Governor Laxman Acharya and union Minister of State for Fisheries and Dairy SP Singh Baghel also attended the event as special guests.
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