BSS Removes Utpal Maharaj After BJP Nomination From Kaliaganj Seat
Sangha expels monk for BJP poll entry, citing rule breach; Utpal says he resigned earlier.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) has expelled a monk from its order after he entered the electoral arena as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The decision underscores the organisation’s longstanding stance against political involvement by its members.
The monk, Swami Jyotirmayananda, popularly known as Utpal Maharaj, has been nominated by the BJP from the Kaliaganj constituency in Uttar Dinajpur district. According to an internal circular issued following a बैठक of the Sangha’s top decision-making body, his participation in electoral politics was deemed a serious violation of the principles governing the monastic order.
In its communication, the Kolkata-based organisation stated that contesting elections represented a departure from the ideals of renunciation, discipline, and spiritual commitment expected of its monks. The note emphasised that active engagement in partisan politics is incompatible with the ethos upheld by the Sangha, which prioritises detachment from worldly affairs.
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Reaffirming its institutional neutrality, BSS said it strictly prohibits its monks, brahmacharis, and associates from participating in or endorsing political activities. It also warned that any similar deviation by other members would invite strict disciplinary action, highlighting the organisation’s intent to preserve its spiritual integrity.
Responding to the development, Utpal Maharaj said he had already resigned from the Sangha before accepting the BJP ticket. He maintained that the organisation’s action merely formalised his earlier decision to step away. “I was aware of the rules that prohibit monks from engaging in politics, and I submitted my resignation before they issued their letter,” he told reporters.
Founded as a socio-religious and philanthropic body, Bharat Sevashram Sangha has historically maintained a non-political stance, focusing on spiritual service and humanitarian work. The episode highlights the tension between religious commitments and political participation, particularly when individuals transition from spiritual roles into public life.
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