'No Need To Mix Politics And Religion': Congress chief Kharge On 'Sanatan Dharma' Row
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge refrains from commenting on the "Sanatana Dharma" controversy, asserting that religion and politics should remain separate entities.
In response to the "Sanatana Dharma" controversy, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Friday that he would not comment on 'religion' because 'religion' and 'politics' are two separate things that should not be mixed.
"I don't want to comment on religion. Politics and religion are separate, there is no need to mix them," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. "I have not come here (Chhattisgarh's Raipur) to speak about anyone's religion. I have come to participate in the programme (Bharose ka Sammelan) meant for the poor. They are different things and there is no need to mix them. I don't want to debate on it," he added further.
The controversy began on September 2 when Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the abolition of the Sanatanaa (meaning Hindu) Dharma, claiming that it is anti-equality and social justice. The BJP accused INDIA alliance leaders of "demeaning Hindus" after Lok Sabha MP and DMK deputy general secretary A Raja compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases such as HIV and leprosy on Thursday.
VIDEO | "I don't want to comment on religion. Politics and religion are separate, there is no need to mix them," says Congress president @kharge on 'Sanatan Dharma' row. pic.twitter.com/TJqrV67jpY
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2023
Kharge Responds To 'India Vs Bharat' Debate In Chhattisgarh's Thekwa:
Kharge also responded to the ongoing debate over the use of the words "India" and "Bharat" as the name of the country, emphasising the separation of religion and politics. He questioned the BJP's motives and accused them of attempting to divide the nation while speaking at the 'Bharose Ka Sammelan' event in poll-bound state of Chhattisgarh.
"भरोसे का सम्मेलन" में कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge जी ने मुख्यमंत्री श्री @bhupeshbaghel जी के साथ ₹355.23 करोड़ की लागत के विकास कार्यों का भूमिपूजन एवं लोकार्पण किया।#CongressBharosaSammelan pic.twitter.com/IPaE5N5FEC
— INC Chhattisgarh (@INCChhattisgarh) September 8, 2023
Kharge pointed out the contradiction of the BJP using names like 'Startup India,' 'Digital India,' 'Skill India,' and 'Make in India' if they are averse to the term 'India.' He highlighted the Congress's efforts in uniting the nation and expressed concern over the BJP's divisive tactics.
"We have formed an alliance named 'INDIA' for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and now the BJP is advocating changing the country's name to 'Bharat.' The Constitution recognises both 'India' and 'Bharat,' so why provoke a dispute?" Kharge questioned, PTI reported.
Kharge also chastised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to address issues in violence-torn Manipur and for over-promoting the G20 summit in Delhi. He praised the achievements of the Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh and contrasted them with the situation in Gujarat, according to the report.
"Chhattisgarh's success is a model for Congress, Bhupesh Baghel, and his cabinet. Modi should observe the Baghel government's work to understand how much progress can be made in five years," Kharge said, as quoted by PTI.
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