New Delhi: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday disapproved of Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati's remarks that 'women's entry in Shani Shingapur temple will lead to rise in rape cases'.


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Reacting to the 94-year-old seer's controversial comments, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader tweeted, “Politely disagree wid d views expressed by Swami Swaroopananda Ji abt women's entry in Shani Shingnapur temple will brng ill luck 2 them and give rise to crimes against them; and attributing drought situation in Maharashtra to Shirdi Saibaba worship.”


Naidu's statement comes after Shankaracharya stated that "the entry of women into the famous Shingnapur shrine which is devoted to Lord Shani will drive more rapes".


Commenting on the driught situation in Maharashtra, the religious leader had said, "The unworthy Sai is being worshipped while the real Gods are ignored. This is happening in Maharashtra and particularly in Shirdi. Hence, Maharashtra is facing drought".


Women activists on Monday termed as "outrageous and appalling" Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati's remarks on lifting of ban on entry of women in the famous Shani temple in Maharashtra and demanded his apology, failing which they have threatened to stage protests.