<p>Swaroopanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka, struck a resounding controversy when he allegedly slapped a television reporter for asking him about Narendra Modi’s prospects of becoming prime minister.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The incident occurred on Tuesday while the seer was interacting with journalists during his visit for a religious function.<br /><br />“Rajniti ki baat nahi karna (Don’t talk politics),” the seer admonished the reporter as he slapped him. <br /><br />The indecorous episode was aired by national television channels.<br /><br />The reporter later said he was not hit as “I ducked and Jagadguru’s hand only hit my mike”. <br />He said would not lodge a police complaint as Swaroopanand is held in high esteem by the people.<br /><br />The Shankaracharya sought to downplay the incident, saying he had merely tried to shoo away the journalist as he had asked a political question despite being told not to.<br /><br />“I also told him you want to keep this man (Modi) in popular conversation, for good reasons or bad. I have no objection to his becoming the prime minister, but he should tell people truthfully what he wants to do,” Swaroopanand told a national TV channel.<br /></p>
<p>Swaroopanand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka, struck a resounding controversy when he allegedly slapped a television reporter for asking him about Narendra Modi’s prospects of becoming prime minister.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The incident occurred on Tuesday while the seer was interacting with journalists during his visit for a religious function.<br /><br />“Rajniti ki baat nahi karna (Don’t talk politics),” the seer admonished the reporter as he slapped him. <br /><br />The indecorous episode was aired by national television channels.<br /><br />The reporter later said he was not hit as “I ducked and Jagadguru’s hand only hit my mike”. <br />He said would not lodge a police complaint as Swaroopanand is held in high esteem by the people.<br /><br />The Shankaracharya sought to downplay the incident, saying he had merely tried to shoo away the journalist as he had asked a political question despite being told not to.<br /><br />“I also told him you want to keep this man (Modi) in popular conversation, for good reasons or bad. I have no objection to his becoming the prime minister, but he should tell people truthfully what he wants to do,” Swaroopanand told a national TV channel.<br /></p>