Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 27 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday inaugurated Shastra Sangrahalaya and Research Centre in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi and stated that the digitisation of ancient scripture that remains part of India's culture would help preserve the country's heritage and would contribute to its betterment.

'This Shastra Sangrahalaya Research Centre is a matter of pride for us. Our Vedas, culture, and ancient scriptures have been digitised here to make our new generation aware of them and to preserve our heritage. This will further contribute to the betterment of the country. Our Prime Minister wants to make India a 'Vishwaguru'. In this, this centre will be of great value to our Vedas and scriptures,' Shinde told reporters here.

He credited several personalities who have pushed for such works, including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and Sangh member Bhujang Bobade. The Maharashtra Deputy CM announced that a similar centre would be established in Thane district.

'Bhujang Bobade of RSS gave priority to this work. I thank him and also Mohan Bhagwat that this happened under his guidance... In Maharashtra, also, our Vedas and scriptures will be digitised in every district. A big centre will also be opened in Thane,' Shinde said.

Speaking on the recent remarks made by Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) president Abu Azmi, where he compared the Warkari movement to people from the Muslim community offering Namaz on roads, Shinde said, 'Opposing Sanatan is an extremely unfortunate act... I strongly condemn anyone doing this.'

Azmi's remarks sparked a major controversy, after which he issued an apology on Monday, clarifying that his intentions were only to highlight that minorities should not feel that there are separate laws for them in the country.

'My statement was distorted and presented in a malicious manner. If this has hurt the religious sentiments of the Warkari community, I completely retract my words and seek forgiveness. My intention was never to offend anyone's religious sentiments,' Azmi posted on X.

'My only intention was to draw the government's attention to the fact that its double standards should not create a feeling in the minority community that there are separate laws for them in this country - whereas our country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself says, 'Together with all, development for all, and trust of all',' he added. (ANI)