Nude monk Tarun Sagar hits back at Vishal Dadlani: ‘Dogs bark, elephant doesn’t look back’

"It is an old norm of the world that every action would be criticised. But one has to do his work. You cannot stop due to such criticism," the monk said.

New Delhi, Aug 28: Revered Jain monk Tarun Sagar came under sharp criticism on social media for delivering his ‘kadve vachan’ address in Haryana legislative assembly. Several people questioned the rationale behind inviting a religious preacher and offering him a dais above the Governor to address the members of the House. Twitterati also made personal attacks against the monk who appeared in nude. Among the critics of saint Tarun Sagar was musician Vishal Dadlani, who is known for his association with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Dadlani had shared an image titled ‘Monkery of Democracy’. He had further added a caption saying, “If you voted for these people, you are responsible for these absurd nonsense. No #AccheDin, just #NoKaccheDin.” Monk Tarun Sagar retaliated in a mild manner, saying that he is unaffected by such criticism. He used a popular analogy of moving elephant and barking dogs to score his point.

“It is an old norm of the world that every action would be criticised. But one has to do his work. You cannot stop due to such criticism. When elephant walks, the dogs begin barking. If the elephant looks back, the dogs run into different lanes. Where would the elephant search for him?” Tarun Sagar said while speaking to ABP News. (ALSO READ: Nude monk Tarun Sagar delivers ‘Kadve Vachan’ in Haryana assembly, compares ‘husband-wife’ with ‘dharma-politics’)

He further added, “I came to know about his criticism through the media. I have nothing to retaliate. Several great personalities have been spat on their faces, pelted with stones, thrown out of villages. Every living man is subjected to criticism… And even if he has said, he has every right to criticize me. That is one’s personal freedom, as enshrined in the constitution.”

Meanwhile, a complaint has been registered against Vishal Dadlani by Jain community members for insulting the monk.

Delhi-Complaint lodged agnst singer Vishal Dadlani over tweet on Jain monk Tarun Sagar’s address to Haryana Assembly pic.twitter.com/eYfTv5ifH3

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 28, 2016

  Here is the tweet which offended a number of Jain community members on social media. It was later deleted by Vishal Dadlani.  

आखिर केजरीवाल जी अब @VishalDadlani से क्या कहेंगे? PROUD Of YOU @SatyendarJain #ShameOnVishal pic.twitter.com/uqW05eWMX8

— Reetesh Maheshwari (@Reetesh777) August 27, 2016

The controversy boiled up last evening Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned the tweet of Dadlani, saying, “Tarun Sagarji Maharaj is a very revered saint, not just for Jains but everyone and those showing disrespect is unfortunate and should stop.” Subsequently, Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain apologized on behalf of Dadlani.

The musician did not show a stubborn attitude and apologized on realizing that his tweet has offended people. Dadlani also announced his resignation from AAP, saying, “I hereby quit all active political work/affiliation. I apologise again, to the Jain Community, all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India’s sake.”

Although Dadlani reiterated that his decision to quit affiliation with AAP is solely his own, there could be a possibility that he might had taken the decision under pressure.