In a reportedly self-professed bid to create social awareness and initiate dialogues with fellow Indians, spiritual leader Swami Agnivesh is set to enter the infamous "Big Boss" house in Lonavala Tuesday night. The Swami was approached by the producers of the show to enter the house as a guest, rather than a participant, and will not be paid for his appearances.
He has admitted to watching various episodes of the show and to not finding anything objectionable in the program, stating that although "people fight on the show", it was "no worse than how MPs sometime behave".
"The girls inside the house don't seem to have any social responsibility. I want to make them realize just how many girl children are killed in the womb and how many women are burnt alive in the name of 'Sati'," the Swami told reporters in Mumbai.
"I think it is exciting and challenging for a person with my background to go inside this house and to engage young souls on socially relevant issues," he added.
The 72-year-old leader, who was an associate of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, spoke about the latter, saying "we may exchange allegations on Team Anna". The Swami, however, despite his public spat with Hazare, emphasized that "we are all working towards the same goal".
The point of difference, it is believed, was the fact that the Swami wanted transparency of accounts held by Team Hazare, as well as wanting Kiran Bedi, another associate of Hazare, to agree to a scrutiny of her NGO.
