BENGALURU:
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed his support for the decision made by the high command not to attend the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He believes that AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, senior party leader Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Chaudhary made the right choice by not participating in the event.
In response to the BJP’s attempt to politicize the inauguration program, Siddaramaiah took to social media to voice his condemnation.
He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of the Sangh Parivar have shown disrespect towards Lord Rama and the 1.4 billion people of India. He believes that a religious event should be conducted with devotion and respect for all, regardless of caste, religion, or political affiliation. Turning it into a political campaign is a betrayal of the Hindu community.
Siddaramaiah also criticized the silence of BJP and RSS leaders, who claim to uphold Hindu culture and customs on a daily basis. He believes that their actions have exposed their hypocrisy. The Congress party has consistently supported the construction of the Ram Mandir, abiding by the court’s decision. They have no reservations about this and have received acceptance from their Muslim counterparts, who have also shown loyalty to the judiciary.
On the other hand, organizations such as the BJP, RSS, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who previously argued that the Ramjanmabhoomi dispute should not be decided in court but based on religious devotion, quickly accepted the Supreme Court’s verdict when it favored them. Siddaramaiah sees this as evidence of the leaders’ hypocritical behavior.
The statement made by the secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust, claiming that Shaiva-Shaktis have no authority in the Ram Mandir, has sparked a heated controversy. If this statement holds true, it would be a grave insult to all Shaivites. In a similar vein, four Shankaracharyas have reportedly boycotted the installation program in protest against the Ram Mandir being exploited for political gain. It is disheartening to witness the Ramlalla inauguration program, which was meant to unite all Hindus, being transformed into a divisive event due to the politics of the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on the verge of completing another decade in power, lacks the confidence to win elections based on his achievements alone. Consequently, during the Lok Sabha elections, the hasty inauguration of the incomplete Ram Mandir was used as a smokescreen to conceal their failures under the guise of Hindutva. However, I firmly believe that the people of our nation, who have been closely observing the BJP and the Sangh Parivar’s political maneuvers in the name of Ram for the past three to four decades, will not fall prey to this deceptive Hindutva agenda. The public has already begun demanding transparency regarding the donations collected in the name of the construction.
Let me clarify that our opposition is not against Hinduism itself, but rather against the practices of untouchability, casteism, bigotry, and corruption that are carried out in the name of religion. We vehemently denounce the exploitation of religion for political gain. We hold no grievances against the Hindu religion, which has been followed by esteemed figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kanakadasa, Narayana Guru, and Kuvempu. However, we will continue to stand against the deceptive Hindutva propagated by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, who exploit religion for their own political agenda. We refuse to engage in political calculations when it comes to matters.
As a representative of the people, I have actively participated in numerous religious programs, including the inauguration and restoration of countless temples. In my own town, I have taken great pride in constructing a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Rama, where I devoutly worship him. Additionally, I have shown my respect by engaging in religious events held at mosques and churches. The principle of interfaith equality is a fundamental aspiration of our Constitution, and it is imperative that we all wholeheartedly embrace and uphold it.
Just as it is a religious obligation for those who possess unwavering faith and devotion to Lord Rama to worship him daily, it is equally crucial to recognize the sacred duty of speaking out against those who exploit Lord Rama for political gain. No religion harbors hatred or rejects another religion. It is my firm belief that both I and my party are fully committed to fulfilling the Constitution’s desire to cultivate a harmonious society, akin to a peaceful garden, where people of all races can thrive.
