Bengaluru, Jan 22 (IANS): The Karnataka BJP on Monday criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not announcing a holiday on the day of the ‘Prana Pratishtha’ in Ayodhya. Defending his decision, CM Siddaramaiah questioned whether the Union Government had declared a holiday in all states.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP), R. Ashoka stated, “The whole nation is chanting the slogan of Shri Rama. People are voluntarily participating in the celebrations. Intolerant of this festive mood, the Congress Government in the state refused to declare a public holiday. What happened to Ravana in the end for hating Lord Rama despite repeated advice from his wife Mandodari and brother Vibheeshan not to do so? Duryodhana met a tragic end by treading the path of injustice and declaring war on his own cousin brothers, going against Sri Krishna. Rama haters of this Kalyug are going to meet the same fate as Ravana in Treta Yug and Duryodhan in Dvapara Yug.”

In a rejoinder to Ashoka’s remarks, CM Siddaramaiah questioned whether the central government had declared a holiday on January 22 in all states.

“The event is taking place in Ayodhya, but has a holiday been declared in the states of Kerala, New Delhi, and West Bengal? This is not a political programme. One can see Rama of Ayodhya in idols of temples in our places. All gods are one right?” the CM said.

Reiterating that he would visit Ayodhya, Siddaramaiah stated that Mahatma Gandhi was also a devotee of Ram.

“I am not an atheist. I am a believer in God. Lord Sri Ramachandra is loved by everyone in the country. He is revered by 143 crore people. There are temples of Rama in every village in India. I have also built a temple of Rama at my place. We are ardent devotees of Lord Rama and Hanuman. I have never questioned the existence of God,” he explained.

“God is one, and he is called by different names. Gods such as Eshwar, Chamundi, Krishna, Thiummappa, Rama are worshipped from time immemorial. The building of the Shri Rama temple is not a new phenomenon. Temples of Rama have been built before, and they will be built in the future as well,” Siddaramaiah maintained.

“Ramayana has given principles. Lord Rama is seen as an epitome of human personality. Gandhi Ji aspired for Rama Rajya. If there has to be a Rama Rajya, the land has to be a garden of different religions,” Siddaramaiah added.

“Rama belongs to everyone. All religions aim for the welfare of humanity. Tolerance and coexistence is clearly written in the Constitution. Everyone should live like human beings, and should not hate anyone. These are the values that Hindu sacred scriptures Ramayana and Mahabharata preach,” he explained.