Telangana Today – 22nd Apr 2018   7:20 pm

Hyderabad: Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama has on Friday written to the Chilkur Balaji Temple Archaka CS Rangarajan appreciating his gesture of carrying a dalit devout — Aditya — on his shoulder into the temple in Jiyaguda, last week.

In his letter to Rangarajan, Dalai Lama applauded his actions saying: “I was moved by your statement that you wanted to show people that everyone is equal in the eyes of god”.

The Dalai Lama in the letter that saluted CS Rangaranjan’s gestures, which exhibited equality. He also said that the action is encouraging for many and hoped that the example set by the priest would contribute to strengthening the society and inspiring many.

The spiritual leader who has been residing in India for nearly six decades now, said that he felt proud of India’s secularism and it’s unity in diversity.

CS Rangarajan, the Chilkur Balaji Temple priest on April 17 broke several long-standing taboos by carrying an SC devout on his shoulder into the temple amid chants by several other priests. By doing so the priest sent out a strong message opposing oppression of dalits.

Rangarajan said “This is the re-enactment of a 2,700-year old incident. It is being done to re-establish the greatness of Sanatana Dharma and to propagate equality among all sections of the society”.

The gesture has been drawing praise from all around the county.