Daijiworld Media Network – Shivamogga (EP)

Shivamogga, Aug 11: “I will not back down from my statement that Mathura and Kashi temples should be liberated from mosques, even if that means spending my entire life in prison,” said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister K S Eshwarappa on Tuesday August 11.

“While Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna, Kashi is the pilgrim centre of Lord Vishwanath. Mosques were constructed there after demolishing temples which are blessed places for crores of Hindus. Those who visit those places are reminded of slavery due to the mosques. Freedom of temples is inevitable to remove such bitter memories,” he said.

“There are thousands of mosques in the country for Muslims to offer prayers. Nobody stops them. But they should respect the sentiments of Hindus also. The sentiments are expressed in the abode of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. All should have similar feelings here too,” Eswarappa quoted.

“The freedom in the country is not for building roads, structures and bridges alone. Relief to the places of worship is the real freedom. This is not the opinion of BJP alone but crores of patriotic Hindus in Congress and JD(S) as well. There were several sacrifices for Indian culture in the past. RSS always respects such feelings,” he further added.

“State Congress president D K Shivakumar is opposing our statement just to appease Muslims. Their wish to remove me from the post of minister or to arrest me will never materialize,” he said.