From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 11: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly opposed BJP’s attempts to convert the Ram Mandir consecration function at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on January 22 into a ‘purely BJP event’ with Prime Minister Narendra Modi entrusted with the task of inaugurating it.

“The decision of AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Chowdhury not to participate in the Ram Lalla installation ceremony is rightful. I support this decision,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister said, “The Ram Mandir function is a religious event, which should transcend caste, religion, and party lines and be conducted with devotion and respect. It has been turned into a party event by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of the Sangh Parivar, showing disrespect to Lord Rama and the 140 crore people of our country.’’

“A religious ceremony that should have been conducted with reverence has been converted into a political campaign, a betrayal to all Hindus,’’ he said.

Siddaramaiah attacked the BJP and RSS leaders, who frequently lecture on Hindu culture, traditions, and values, are silent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's act of inaugurating the incomplete Ram Temple. “This silence exposes their hypocritical version of Hindutva,’’ he said.

He said from the beginning of the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, the Congress party has steadfastly maintained its position.

“We fully supported the construction of the Ram Temple, consistent with our respect for the court's verdict. There is no dispute about this from our side. The Muslim community has also shown their commitment to the judiciary by accepting the court's decision,’’ he said.

However, he said organizations like the BJP, RSS, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which initially argued that the Ram Janmabhoomi issue was a matter of faith and not for the court to decide, promptly accepted the Supreme Court's verdict in their favour, showing the leaders' hypocritical behaviour.

The statement by the secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust that Shaivas and Shaktas have no rights in the Ram Temple has stirred controversy.

“If true, it is an insult to all Shaiva devotees. The use of the Ram Temple for political gain, as criticized by four Shankaracharyas who have boycotted the installation ceremony, has turned a unifying event into one that divides Hindus, which is unfortunate,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is nearing a decade in office, lacks the confidence to win elections by showcasing his achievements. He has rushed to inaugurate the incomplete Ram Temple during the election period to stir up Hindutva sentiment and overshadow his failures, he added.

“Over the last 30-35 years, the political exploitation by the BJP and Sangh Parivar in the name of Lord Ram has been closely observed by the country's people. I believe they will not fall for this false Hindutva trap again. People are now questioning the accounting of donations collected in the name of bricks,’’ he said.

The Chief Minister declared that he and the Congress party was ‘not against Hinduism but oppose untouchability, casteism, blind faith, and superstitions carried out in the name of religion. We are completely against using religion for political purposes’.

“We have no issues with Hinduism as practiced by many great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kanakadasa, Narayana Guru, and Kuvempu. However, we will continue to oppose the false Hindutva used by BJP and Sangh Parivar for their political motives. We do not calculate political gains or losses in this matter,’’ he declared.

Siddaramaiah said: “As a public representative, I have participated in hundreds of religious events, including temple inaugurations and renovations. I have built and worshipped a temple of Rama in my village with devotion. Similarly, I have participated and shown respect in religious events of mosques and churches. Upholding the constitutional principle of respect for all religions, I and our party are committed to it.’’

“Respecting and worshipping Lord Rama daily is as much a religious duty as raising a voice against those who use Rama for political purposes,’’ he said adding: “No religion teaches hatred or rejection of another religion. I and our party are committed to the constitutional goal of creating a peaceful garden of all communities in our society.’’

Not directed Special Puja in Temples

The Chief Minister clarified that he has not directed holding special pujas in the Muzrai temples in the State. “Is Shri Ramachandra is not here? Is there no value for the Shri Ramachandra among us? Therefore, the puja is being held,’’ he said.

Tributes to Shastry

In the morning, the Chief Minister paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastry on his death anniversary by garlanding the statue in front of Vidhana Soudha.

“Lal Bahadur Shastry was a great and ideal leader. He had set high standards in public life and had resigned over the Railway Accident and loss of lives,’’ he said and recalled the espousal of farmers cause and also honouring soldiers by proclaiming, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ and worked for bringing self-reliance in foodgrains production.