Ranchi, Jun 4 (IANS): Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Tuesday inaugurated the Rs 55 crore Haj House in Ranchi, on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
After the inauguration, the Chief Minister told the media here: "Secularism is in our blood. There is no need to teach us secularism. In the last 70 years, the successive governments have created a fear among minorities. Minorities were understood as vote bank.
"But the present Jharkhand and Central governments believe in the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' theory. There is a need to change the mindset of the minority community people and they should take benefit of government schemes."
The five-storeyed Haj House is constructed according to Mughal architecture. Around 1,000 people can offer Namaz.
It consists of a prayer room, Visa room, kitchen and VIP room. A total of 150 men and 80 women can stay at a time. It is centrally air-conditioned.
The Chief Minister had laid the foundation stone for the building two years ago.
The earlier Haj House was constructed at the same place at a cost of Rs 5.50 crore.
Despite repair work, the building could not sustain for long and it was demolished.