Mahant Balaknath
Mahant Balaknath | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 3 December 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Sandeep Yadav |
| Constituency | Tijara |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 23 May 2019 – 7 December 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Karan Singh Yadav |
| Succeeded by | Bhupender Yadav |
| Constituency | Alwar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1984 Kohrana, Rajasthan, India |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Residence(s) | Tijara, Rajasthan, India |
| Occupation | Politician, monk |
| Website | yogibalaknath |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Denomination | Shaivism |
| Temple | Baba Mastnath Math |
| Institute | Baba Mastnath University |
| School | Yoga |
| Lineage | Baba Mastnath |
| Sect | Nath Sampradaya |
| Ordination | 2016 |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Mahant Chandnath |
| Post | Mahant |
| Period in office | 2016–present |
| Predecessor | Mahant Chandnath |
Mahant Balaknath Yogi (born 16 April 1984), better known as Baba Balaknath, is an Indian politician and current MLA from Tijara constituency in Rajasthan.[1] He is Chancellor of the Baba Mastnath University (BMU), Rohtak, Haryana.[2] He is also 8th Mahant of the Nath sect of Hinduism.[3] On 29 July 2016, Mahant Chandnath declared Balaknath Yogi as his successor in a ceremony which was attended by Yogi Adityanath and Baba Ramdev.[4][5][6]
Early life
[edit]He was born in the village of Kohrana in Behror tehsil of Rajasthan, Balaknath Yogi’s roots are deeply embedded in Alwar.[7] Coming from an agricultural family, he took his first steps into sannyasa at the tender age of six-and-a-half, prompting him to leave home and seek solace in an ashram.[8] He was named Gurumukh by Baba Khetanath in his early age.[9] He used to live in Matsyendra Maharaj Ashram from 1985-1991 (up to age of 6) after that he moved to a Math in village Nathawali Theri in Hanumangarh district with Mahant Chandnath.
Political career
[edit]Mahant Balaknath Yogi's political foray was shaped by his Guru, Mahant Chandnath, a former Member of Parliament from Alwar. Following in his mentor's footsteps, Balaknath Yogi succeeded him as the head of the Baba Mastnath Mutt in Haryana. A key influencer in his political journey is also the support of yoga guru Baba Ramdev. As Balaknath Yogi traverses the campaign trail, a dedicated team from Mahendragarh in Haryana accompanies him, underlining the widespread backing he enjoys.[10]
Balaknath, emerging as a controversial figure in political circles, has gained attention for his provocative statements and unorthodox comparisons. In a widely circulated video, he drew a parallel between his political contest against Imran Khan and an India-Pakistan cricket match. Asserting that the battle extends beyond mere victory, Balaknath emphasised the significance of securing a favourable voting percentage. He expressed concerns about minority communities uniting against the Sanatan Dharma and highlighted the need to thwart such plans through electoral success.[11]
He was nominated as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for Lok Sabha from Alwar, Rajasthan and he won the elections in 2019 by defeating Bhanwar Jitendra Singh of Indian National Congress by a margin of 3 Lakh votes.[12]
He resigned from the post of Lok Sabha MP on 7 December 2023 after winning from the Tijara constituency in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Elections.[13]
See also
[edit]- Mahant Shreyonath sixth Mahant of the Nath sect.
- Mahant Chandnath seventh Mahant of the Nath sect.
References
[edit]- ^ Mishra, Ishita (3 December 2023). "BJP's Hindutva outreach plays out well with all four 'babas' winning in Rajasthan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "The Beacons of Society" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Cong expects tough contest in pampered constituency". Hindustan Times. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "महंत चांदनाथ ने तय किया अपना उत्तराधिकारी, मौजूद रहे बाबा रामदेव". अमर उजाला. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Baba Mast Nath Matth gets New Mahant". Tribuneindia News Service. tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Alwar MP dies, three CMs attend 'samadhi' ceremony". www.tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019.
- ^ "राजस्थान का योगी', कौन हैं महंत बालकनाथ, जो राजस्थान में BJP की बढ़त के साथ ही चर्चा में हैं". 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Rajasthan CM Candidate: Who Is Mahant Balak Nath Yogi, BJP's Probable Choice?". News18. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "महंत बालकनाथ ने 6 साल की उम्र में ही ले लिया था संन्यास, जानिए उनके संन्यासी बनने से लेकर राजनीति में कदम रखने की कहानी | Mahant Balaknath Yogi History Alwar Loksabha Seat Candidate Balaknath". 30 March 2019.
- ^ "Mahant Balak Nath Yogi: All you need to know about BJP candidate from Rajasthan's Tijara constituency". The Times of India. 3 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Mastnath Math Head Potential CM Candidate In Rajastgan". The Times of India.
- ^ "अलवर सीट पर भाजपा ने महंत बालकनाथ को बनाया प्रत्याशी, जानिए क्या है यहां का समीकरण". 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Election". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
