Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (DV)
Bengaluru, Jan 16: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday January 16 in a series of tweets slammed the BJP-led union government over the rejection of Kerala's Brahmashree Narayana Guru tableau design for Republic Day parade, and questioned whether Sri Narayana Guru "does not belong to Hindu religion".
The leader of opposition said that the union government led by the BJP should apologise before the people of the country for insulting Sri Narayana Guru. "The govt should allow Narayana Guru's tableau during this Republic Day parade (sic)," he said.
"The rejection of Republic Day tableau for including the statute of Social Reformer Shree Narayana Guru, has exposed BJP's disdain towards the great reformer who advocated social justice," he said.
He added that when he was chief minister of the state, his government took the decision to officially observe the birth anniversary of Sri Narayana Guru. "I am proud & content that our decision helped the spread of teachings of Narayana Guru throughout the State (sic)," he said.
"It is surprising that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has still not apologized to the nation for this great mistake of rejecting Narayana Guru's tableau. Does it mean he is still unaware of this blunder or was he the reason for the rejection?" he questioned.
"Narayana Guru dedicated his entire life to reform Hinduism by fighting against social evils like untouchability.
By humiliating Narayana Guru's contribution, (does) BJP have any face left to talk about Hinduism?" Siddaramaiah said.
"Why was the statue of Narayana Guru rejected by Central Govt? Does he not belong to Hindu religion? Let
BJP clarify the position," he tweeted.