Sannyasi Eyes CM Throne in Rajasthan: Balaknath Compared to Yogi Adityanath, A Monk Since Age 6, Sparks Political Buzz
Meeting Between Balaknath Yogi and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Sparks Speculation
On December 2nd, a day before the announcement of the election results, third-term sitting MLA Balaknath Yogi, a prominent candidate, held a meeting with the BJP General Secretary B.L. Santosh at the party headquarters.
After securing a decisive victory with 115 seats in the election results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Balaknath Yogi and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to Delhi. When questioned about his potential role as Chief Minister in the parliamentary premises the next day, Balaknath Yogi responded vaguely.
This sequence of events has fueled speculation that Balaknath Yogi may be contemplating a shift to the Chief Ministerial race in Rajasthan. The 39-year-old, who is a Mahant at a Math, a university chancellor, an MP from Alwar, and now a third-term MLA, has a diverse and accomplished background. His journey from childhood to potentially entering the Chief Ministerial race in Rajasthan is an interesting narrative worth exploring.
Gurmukh Yadav: A Spiritual Journey from Childhood to Sannyas
Born on April 16, 1984, in the village of Kohrana in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Gurmukh Yadav entered the world into the family of farmer Subhash Yadav. The household had a deeply religious atmosphere, with Gurmukh’s grandfather, Baba Phoolchand Yadav, residing among sages and saints. Gurmukh’s father, Subhash, was also a disciple of Mahant Khetanath and often attended his gatherings.
Mahant Khetanath named the newborn Gurmukh, and as the child turned six, he was sent to the hermitage of Neemara in the spiritual pursuit. Here, students engage in rigorous spiritual practices. Gurmukh embraced the life of an ascetic from an early age. When he turned six, he was sent to the hermitage of Neemara under the guidance of Mahant Khetanath for spiritual studies. In this environment, students lead an austere life, focusing on spiritual practices.
After initiation, Gurmukh sought admission to Mahant Chandanath’s ashram. Chandanath was the head of the Nath tradition and resided in the Bohar ashram. Gurmukh’s spiritual journey took a significant turn when he received initiation from Mahant Chandanath and was given the name “Balaknath.”
Balaknath’s spiritual journey from childhood to taking sannyas (renunciation) is an inspiring tale of dedication to a life of asceticism, guided by the principles of the Nath tradition.
Mahant Chandanath: A Journey in Education, Healthcare, and Politics
Understanding the present Balaknath requires delving into the journey of his guru, Chandanath, to comprehend his teachings and influence.
Born on June 21, 1956, in Delhi’s Begampur, Chandanath pursued his Bachelor of Arts in Hindi from Delhi University’s Hindu College. In 1978, he received initiation from Mahant Shreyonath and chose the path of asceticism at the Bohar ashram under Baba Mastnath. In 1985, Chandanath became the head of this ashram.
Chandanath had a keen interest in education and established several colleges around Rohatk. Later, all these colleges came under the umbrella of the Baba Mastnath Group of Institutions. In the academic year 2012-13, the Haryana government recognized this group as a university. Chandanath became the Vice-Chancellor and played a vital role in shaping the institutions.
Apart from his contributions to education, Chandanath was actively involved in healthcare. He managed five charitable hospitals around Rohatk and Hanumangarh.
Chandanath’s political career was equally remarkable. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, he contested on a BJP ticket from Alwar. Although he lost to Congress’s Karan Singh Yadav, he continued his political endeavors. In the 2014 elections, he contested from Alwar and emerged victorious.
Balaknath Yogi: Inheriting the Spiritual Legacy in 2016
In 2016, facing health challenges and cancer diagnosis, Mahant Chandanath, at the age of 60, chose Balaknath as his successor. Balaknath was initiated into the role of Mahant on July 29, 2016, becoming the 8th saint in the Nath tradition.
Balaknath’s selection as a saint was marked by the presence and participation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Baba Ramdev in a grand ceremony. With the demise of Chandanath on September 17, 2017, Balaknath Yogi took over the entire spiritual legacy.
The ascension of Balaknath Yogi represents a continuation of the rich spiritual tradition, with the responsibility of carrying forward the teachings and practices of the Nath sect.
Balaknath: Beyond the Ashram, A Political Figure
Following Chandanath’s demise, Balaknath Nath, the head of the largest math in the Nath sect located in Rohatak, took on the responsibility as the head of the math. In addition to leading the math, Balaknath also assumed the role of Chancellor of Baba Mastnath University. All hospitals associated with the math operate under his guidance.
In 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Balaknath as a candidate from Alwar for the Lok Sabha elections. At the age of 35, he not only won the election but also defeated the senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh by a margin of over 3 lakh votes. Since then, Balaknath has been actively involved in the Alwar constituency, contributing significantly to the political landscape beyond the confines of the ashram.
Balaknath’s chances of becoming the Chief Minister of Rajasthan have been discussed on two main grounds:
- Nath Tradition: Balaknath comes from the Nath sect’s lineage, similar to Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. The ashram in Rohatak, where he is based, has a significant influence in Haryana, Rajasthan, and surrounding areas. His association with the Nath tradition may play a pivotal role in strengthening his position in the race for the Chief Minister’s post.
- Hindutva Card: Balaknath is known for aligning with the Hindutva ideology. His association with the Nath sect and emphasis on Hindutva principles could make it easier for the BJP to consolidate its position. Making a saintly figure the Chief Minister sends a positive message to the public, emphasizing a commitment to eradicate corruption.
However, political analyst Rashid Kidwai suggests that Balaknath’s complete immersion in Rajasthan’s political arena might not be straightforward. While Balaknath holds significant sway in the ashram, projecting him as the Chief Minister could be challenging due to his softer approach towards Vasundhara Raje. Kidwai also mentions that Balaknath may not be a straightforward choice due to the complexity of Vasundhara Raje’s influence. It is highlighted that Rajasthan’s political dynamics involve a balance between various power centers, and projecting Balaknath as the Chief Minister might not be a straightforward task.
In conclusion, Rashid Kidwai indicates that while Balaknath’s candidature for the Chief Minister’s position might be discussed, the decision involves intricacies, and making him the Chief Minister might not be a straightforward process, especially considering Vasundhara Raje’s influence and the complexities of the political landscape in Rajasthan.
