Seers need to play the role of ombudsmen, says Defence minister Rajnath Singh

HARIDWAR: Defence minister Rajnath Singh said in Haridwar on Monday that "sanyasis in India have always contributed significantly to the country's progress, besides safeguarding our culture."

"In the ancient days, they (seers) played the role of ombudsman for the state. That has to be their role today as well," he added. Singh was taking part in an event to celebrate Juna Akhara's Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri's completion of 25 years of assuming the high post.

"The seed of nationalism was sown in the hearts of Indians by the great novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, who depicted the revolt of sanyasis against the British rule in the country," he said, adding, "This is just one of the examples our history is replete with of how our religious men rose to the occasion, saved the country and defended our culture against the onslaughts of foreign invaders, who were out to destroy our cultural consciousness."

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