Kartik Maharaj, a Bengal monk who faced backlash from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s most prestigious civilian honours. The announcement was made by President Draupadi Murmu on the eve of the 76th Republic Day.
Kartik Maharaj, also known as Swami Pradeeptananda, has been a pivotal figure in West Bengal politics, particularly during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was involved in a public spat with Mamata Banerjee, who criticised him for not allowing Trinamool agents to sit at his ashram, accusing him of doing “direct politics”.
On 18 May 2024, in the middle of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC supremo directly mentioned Kartik Maharaj’s name during her Arambagh meeting and said, “I respected Bharat Sevashram Sangh a lot, but I do not consider a person who does not allow Trinamool agents to sit as a saint. The reason is that he is destroying the country by doing direct politics”.
“Not all gentlemen are equal. Not all saints are equal. Are we all equal among us? I am saying this because I have identified it,” the Chief Minister also said. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen standing next to Kartik Maharaj during the election campaign.
In response, Kartik Maharaj sent a legal notice to Mamata Banerjee, demanding an apology for her alleged “defamatory” comments about his organisation. He also approached the Calcutta High Court seeking security, fearing an attack on his ashram.
Interestingly, Kartik Maharaj was seen several times with Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari in the Pro-Hindu group rallies at various places in West Bengal.
Kartik Maharaj was also seen protesting against the alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. Along with him were eight other personalities from Bengal, including musician Arijit Singh, dancer Mamata Shankar, and writer Nagendranath Roy. The Padma Shri awards will be conferred upon 131 individuals, including 19 who will receive the Padma Bhushan.
Kartik Maharaj also made headlines for saying it was “India’s misfortune that Mohandas Gandhi is considered the Father of the Nation”. He also urged Hindus to start worshiping Chakradhari Krishna instead of Banshidhari Krishna- the warrior form of the deity Krishna rather than the romantic Krishna – and expressed his displeasure at how the Hindu society “misunderstands” the concept of non-violence.
Kartik Maharaj joined the Bharat Sevashram Sangh as a teenager. He first went to an ashram in Purulia then to the Aurangabad ashram. He was influenced by the ideology of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh and took initiation from Swami Pragyananda Maharaj in Aurangabad before gradually becoming a celibate.
Thereafter, Kartik Maharaj was under the supervision of Swami Hiranmayanandaji Maharaj. He grew up in his presence
After Kartik Maharaj came to Beldanga, he started a high school for tribal girls.