Man Sets Up 'NOTA Temple' At His Shop In Poll-Bound Gujarat

Chirag Modi, 45 had prepared the idol in 2015 and urged the Parliament secretary to install the idol in the building but his request was turned down due to paucity of space.

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A man in Gujarat set up a 'NOTA temple' at his shop in Naranpura area of Ahmedabad city on Tuesday. He installed an idol of Bharat Mata inside the shrine that is named after the option in voting machines which people press to indicate that their choice is 'None of the Above'.

Chirag Modi, 45 had prepared the idol in 2015 and urged the Parliament secretary to install it in the building but his request was turned down. Later, in 2017 he filed a PIL in this regard in the Supreme Court which was eventually dismissed.

"I requested the Parliament officials to install the idol in the Parliament as a mark of respect to Bharat Mata but it was rejected citing lack of space there. I even moved a PIL in the SC but the Chief Justice of India dismissed it. I was left with only one choice: install it outside my shop," he told the Ahmedabad Mirror.

He installed the idol outside his flour batter shop that he owns for over 20 years in the Naranpura area of Ahmedabad city and named it "NOTA temple".

“I wanted to convey to people that the present political system is not proper. Political leaders are repeated in election after election, " said Modi on his decision to name the temple, as reported by the Times Of India.

"They should make way for new leaders. I am not saying that people should not vote for the candidates contesting elections. I have only mentioned the provision of the NOTA option," he added.

The setting up of the temple and the motive behind it has not struck a chord with a few but there are people who have aprreciated the gesture and understand what he wants to convey, said Modi.

He, however, clarified that he wanted people to vote and not press the NOTA button until very necessary.

"I repeat what is written on the wall and stress that I do not advocate voting for NOTA," Modi was quoted as saying by the Times of India