Defiant Katheria stands firm on 'saffronisation good for nation'

AGRA: Reiterating his controversial statement, Minister of State for Human Resource and Development ( HRD) Ramshankar Katheria on Monday said that saffronisation would be implemented in the nation, if necessary. "I had gone to Lucknow yesterday to attend Shivaji Maharaj's Hindu Swaraj Diwas Samaroh. There some journalists asked me if me coming to the event signified saffronisation. I said whatever is beneficial for the nation-be it saffronisation, green or red colour, we will implement that," Katheria said. He asserted that a 'disease' was being spread in the country and the way the colour saffron was being seen in the nation needed to be changed. "This colour resembles, sacrifice, respect, devotion. I haven't related anyone with any colour. All the colours are of the nation and they should be implemented for the benefit of the nation. All the saints like Swami Vivekananda and Dayanand Saraswati had accepted this colour." Escalating his attack on the opposition, the minister said the way a conspiracy was going on to defame the colour was not right, adding that saffron resembled the nation's culture and soul and one shouldn't put it in a bad light. "The opposition will speak against the good works in a state of restlessness. Everyone should cooperate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's path of progress and development. The opposition is not cooperating with the good works, rather they are criticising them, which they consider as their religion," he added. Katheria yesterday said there was no problem with saffronisation of education if it is for the nation's benefit. Addressing a function at the Lucknow University to celebrate 'Hindvi Swaraj Diwas Samaroh' marking the 342nd coronation year of Shivaji, Katheria maintained that be it ' saffronisation or sanghwad' if it's good for the country then it will definitely take place. Meanwhile criticising Katheria's statement, Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) leader Ashutosh said the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) was interested in vote bank politics and nothing else. "They just want to pollute the environment and divide the people among religion in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the state assembly election. They are interested in vote bank politics and nothing else," he added