Bengaluru: In response to the Karnataka government’s decision on “no holiday for state government employees” for the Ram Temple Prana Pratishta at Ayodhya on Monday, BJP leaders stirred strong religious and communal sentiments. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka criticized the two, likening their decision to that of Duryodhana’s.
“I don’t know how the government can come up with this idea of not declaring a holiday. It is like Duryodhana’s decision,” remarked Ashoka. Kodagu-Mysuru MP Pratap Simha expressed, “This is not a decision of a Ram bhakt; it is a decision of Rahim bhakt.”
BJP General Secretary Ravi Kumar stated, “This government has not considered the fact that Hindus would be offended. They are not giving the due honour and respect to this important event. Even some Muslims are offering prayers tomorrow.”
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the government’s stance, asserting, “We have been practicing our traditions and rituals for a long time. We don’t need to learn from others about religion and devotion. We don’t use religion for publicity. We believe that prayers yield results and have ordered special poojas at all temples under the Muzrai Department even before anyone asked for them. There is Rama in Siddaramaiah’s name and Shiva in my name. There should be dharma in politics, but not politics in dharma.”
Political analyst BS Murthy remarked, “It appears to be more of a BJP-Sangh Parivar program than a regular religious event. They have been selective in extending the invitation while leaving out the Karnataka chief minister and President Draupadi Murmu. BJP’s newfound allies like JDS leaders have received the invite. If they wanted everyone to participate, the Union government could have declared a national holiday.
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