The Shankaracharya of Puri on Friday appealed to all secular parties to bury their differences and launch a concerted campaign to unseat the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat for its alleged involvement in the post-Godhra persecution of the minority community.
Swami Adhokshanand Dev Teerth said in a statement that the evil and unjust deeds of the Modi government, which had hurt communal harmony and brought shame to the Hindu community, now stood exposed.
"The tall claims of Modi that he is 'Vikas Purush' and a well-wisher of the Hindus have proved to be hollow," he said.
The Shankaracharya also advised the secular parties not to squabble on issues like Nandigram. "Instead, they should accept the greater challenge of removing Modi from the temple of democracy by pooling their efforts to launch a concerted campaign against him."
Criticising the Hindutva organisations, he said these bodies should refrain from indulging in double standards. "If they are displeased with the Modi government's policies and activities, they should come out in the open to register their protests," he said.
He said it was "most unfortunate" that Modi managed to stay in power for five years.
"The people of Gujarat must not be swayed and misled by the overtures of the Modi government. Instead, they should play an active role in toppling the state government in the coming assembly elections," he added.