Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accused the BJP of politicizing religion and emphasized that Lord Ram does not belong exclusively to the saffron party. Speaking in Bengaluru, Shivakumar stated, "The BJP is playing politics with religion. There should be dharma in politics, but not the other way round. Hindu religion is not BJP’s private property."
He pointed out that names of prominent leaders, including Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Hariprasad, and Krishna Byregowa, contain references to Hindu deities, asserting that Hindu religion is not the exclusive domain of the BJP. Shivakumar highlighted the Karnataka government's commitment to providing equal importance to various departments, including the Muzrai department, Haj Committee, and Minority Welfare department.
Shivakumar questioned the BJP's failure to implement people-centric programs during its previous tenure in power and defended the government's five guarantee schemes, emphasizing that they benefit people of all castes and creeds. Regarding the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister raising 'Jai Sri Ram' chants, he challenged the notion that Sri Ram is the personal property of any political party and accused the BJP of spreading lies to portray the Congress as anti-Hindu. He mentioned the Muzrai department's initiatives in temples under Ramalinga Reddy's leadership, suggesting that the BJP is unable to accept these actions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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