Haridwar, May 7 -- Jyotirmath Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand allegedly called for the expulsion of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi from Hindu religion on Saturday, claiming that his alleged remarks on Manusmriti in Parliament last December insulted Sanatan Dharma. Swami Avimukteshwaranand told reporters at Badrinath Dham on Saturday that Rahul Gandhi's expulsion was due to derogatory remarks on Manusmriti given in last parliament session. The Manusmriti is one of 18 highly regarded religious scriptures of Santan Dharma, he said. "Manu Smriti is a highly revered ancient Vedic scripture of Hinduism. I had sought clarification thrice from Rahul Gandhi since December 2024, but it's almost three months, and no reply has been given to me. So, he is no longer a Hindu nor associated with Sanatan Dharma as he himself doesn't believe in Manu Smriti and related ancient Vedas. Henceforth he be considered ostracised from Hindu religion," said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand. Swami Avimukteshwaranand further urged priests to follow suit and not assist or conduct any ritual in which Rahul Gandhi participates and that he also be barred from entering Hindu temples and muths. Shankaracharya also reacted strongly against Manusmriti being referred as "your book." "It's clear Rahul Gandhi doesn't see himself to be a Hindu as he related Manusmriti as your book, not mine or ours. He doesn't have any regard for ancient Hindu scriptures, so he can't be a part of Hindu religion," he said. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Congress unit has taken strong objection to Swami Avimukteshwaranand's comments and the alleged ostracization of Rahul Gandhi. "Swami Avimukteshwaranand's comments are uncalled for and it seems he is targeting Rahul Gandhi at behest of ruling party(BJP)."...