Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 30: "We are not opposed to the construction of Jesus Christ’s statue. Let former minister D K Shivakumar do whatever he wishes. But the location of the land needs to be verified," said minister for revenue R Ashok.

Ashok was speaking at the Vidhan Soudha before the cabinet meeting. He further said, "The deputy commissioner (DC) is going to submit a report on Monday or Tuesday with respect to the construction of statue of Jesus at the Kapala hills. The hill falls under the forest department. There is a dam nearby. So we have to verify the land on which the statue is being built. I do not why this project, which was dormant for such a long time, raked up now?"

Responding on the same issue minister C T Ravi said, "When ISCON wanted to build a theme park, D K Shivakumar had harassed them and made the project to stall. But we will not do the same. For us Lord Krishna and Jesus are same. But the revenue minister has already ordered inquiry into the misuse of Gomala (meadow) land. Suitable action will be taken once the report of DC is submitted to the department."

Former minister D K Shivakumar has already laid the foundation stone for the construction of 114 feet tall statue of Jesus on the Kapala hills at Harobele village of Kanakapura taluk on December 25. The status will have steps up to a height of 13 feet, the construction of which is already finished. Harobele village consists 99 per cent Christians. The Christian community of the village had thanked D K Shivakumar and D K Suresh for offering the land for the construction of Jesus' statue.