Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand in Ranchi on Tuesday. (Hardeep Singh)

Ranchi Nov. 8: Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand today criticised politicians for promoting communal discord in the country.

The seer said, “Weed out two or four political leaders from either side, that is Hindus and Muslims, and there will be no trouble. Even the Ram temple will be built easily, because these political leaders thrive on making people fight each other.”

At a satsang held at noted neurosurgeon H.P. Narayan’s residence, Shankaracharya added, “Unless the Constitution of our country is modified according to our culture and heritage, and unless education too is connected with our culture and heritage, our lost glory cannot be regained.”

He pointed out that the country’s history was one of “benevolence and tolerance”. “We gave shelter to the Parsis, and the Christians and others. Today the Muslims are safer in India than in either Pakistan or Bangladesh. We have had two Muslim presidents, one Christian president, and many Muslim and Christian ministers, including a Muslim home minister. Will you find such examples in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Saudi Arab?”

On eliminating corruption from public life, he said, “Corruption can be fought only by “dharma.”