Swami Pradiptananda
Swami Pradiptananda | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kartik Maharaj |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Swami Pradiptananda |
| Occupation(s) | Hindu monk, social worker |
| Organisation | Bharat Sevashram Sangha |
| Known for | Social service and religious leadership |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2025) |
Swami Pradiptananda, popularly known as Kartik Maharaj, is an Indian Hindu monk and social worker affiliated with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. He was awarded the Padma Shri, in 2025 for his contributions to social work.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Swami Pradiptananda has been associated with various service activities through the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, focusing on relief work, education, and community service in West Bengal and other parts of India.[3] He gained national attention following political reactions to his selection for the Padma award, particularly during public disagreements between state and central leaders.[4][5]
Reception
[edit]The conferment of the Padma Shri to Swami Pradiptananda sparked public and political discourse in West Bengal. While some political figures opposed the award on grounds of perceived ideological bias,[6][7] others defended the recognition citing his service record.[8]
Controversies
[edit]His name was at the center of political debates during the 2024-25 Padma award announcements. Various media outlets linked the controversy to broader ideological tensions between state and central leaderships.[9][10]
Awards
[edit]- Padma Shri in 2025 for contributions to social work.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Padma Awards 2025" (PDF). Padma Awards Portal. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2025 announced". PIB. Government of India. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Monk chosen for Padma awards thanks Mamata for criticising him". The Hindu. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Bengal's Padma awardee Hindu monk came to limelight amid Modi-Mamata tussle". Hindustan Times. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Padma Shri: Bharat Sevashram monk Kartik Maharaj thanks Mamata Banerjee for criticism". The Indian Express. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "TMC, Cong, CPM attack Padma Shri to Kartik Maharaj; BJP defends monk". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Trinamul's Kunal Ghosh objects to Padma Shri for Hindu monk Kartik Maharaj". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Mamata, Shankar, Pt Tejendra Narayan among 9 Padma awardees from Bengal". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Murshidabad Ram Temple: Kartik Maharaj and Padma Shri". The Wire. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Swami Pradiptananda, Modi and Mamata". The Wire. Retrieved 28 May 2025.