New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Friday over his promise to build Lord Hanuman temples in the state if his party is voted to power, and asked if he had checked with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra before making the announcement.
“I'd like to humbly tell DK Shivakumar that he is not going to become the Chief Minister, so it is better if he does not make the false promise of a temple. Before saying this, did he check with Mrs Vadra? I say this because during the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Amethi, I saw Mrs Vadra offering namaz on the street. We all know that those who believe in Islam can't do idol worshipping or build temples. So, if his leader is against idol worshipping and temple, can DK Shivakunar make such a promise,” news agency ANI quoted Smriti Irani as saying.
The Union Minister’s remark comes a day after Shivakumar said if voted to power, the Congress will construct new Hanuman temples in Karnataka.
“The temples of Lord Rama’s escort Anjaneya (Hanuman) are everywhere. We have constructed Anjaneya temples and we too are his devotees, especially we Kannadigas in this state where there are evidences to show that Anjaneya was born here. We are coming out with programmes. Congress will formulate special policies for the development of all the important Anjaneya temples especially those historic places associated with Anjaneya. We will formulate policies and programmes named after Anjaneya in all the Taluks of the state that will instil strength among youths to tread on the ideals of Hanuman,” Shivakumar had said.
The state Congress President further said that there are at least 25 Anjaneya temples between Bengaluru and Mysuru that were built by the first chief minister of the state Kengal Hanumanthaiah, who was a Congress leader.