The religious leaders at the Shri Kashtbhanjan Dev Hanumanji mandir in Salangpur, Botad district, managed by the Swaminarayan sect’s Vadtal branch, on Tuesday removed two controversial murals of Lord Hanuman kneeling before and praying with folded hands to the 19th century seer Sahajanand Swami (1781-1830), founder of the sect, known by his followers as Lord Swaminarayan.
However, the controversy that erupted about a week ago has become a larger dispute between the Swaminarayan sect that wields political and economic power and other Hindu outfits in Gujarat.
The panel had been installed in the temple thronged by thousands daily, on the pedestal of a 54-foot-tall statue of Hanuman during its inauguration in April by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It triggered widespread protests by several Hindu religious seers and priests, who have now grouped together under the banner of Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, and refer to themselves as Sanatana Dharma followers.
