New Delhi: Akhil Bharat Hindu Maha Sabha (ABHM) President Swami Chakrapani Maharaj hit out at Congress leader Udit Raj's tweet which questioned Yogi Adityanath government on its expenditure on Khumb Mela.
Congress leader had tweeted that no religious teachings and rituals should be funded by the government and cited the expense incurred by the Uttar Pradesh government in organising the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad as an example.
Strongly reacting to this, Swami Maharaj said, "The remark of the leader shows Congress's mentality towards Hinduism and Sanatan Dharam. The opposition has not reacted on Palghar lynching and the burning of a priest in Rajasthan. The entire party keeps the same mentality."
He added, "Gurukuls have produced nationalists but after independence, it's the Hindu community that has suffered most atrocities. No facilities were provided to Gurukuls but Madrasas were given all amenities. But students in Madrasas are given teachings against Hindus and they are a hub of terrorism and arms and ammunition."
Swami said that teachings in Madrasas are anti-national and students are even told not to say 'Vande Matram'.
"Have you ever heard that people attending Kumbh Mela speak against the nation and talk anti-national things? Kumbh Mela sends a message of humanity across the nation and binds people. The remark of the Congress leader is disappointing and speaking against people who are in majority shows the real picture of the opposition. It is shocking that why the Election Commission has not cancelled his registration?", ABHM President said.
Congress and other opposition parties which spread false narratives against Hindu religion should not be allowed to live in India and strict action must be taken against them.
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"No Masjid or Madrasa gives grant to Government but mandirs do. Then why should not the govt spend on Kumb Mela? The government should maximum assistance to the mandirs as they take donations from them under certain registered acts," he stated.
The tweet of Udit Raj stoked controversy and Uttar Pradesh MSME Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said that next Kumbh will be grander and the government will spend double the amount it had spent in the previous Kumbh fair.
However, Congress leader later deleted the tweet.
When asked about his tweet, Raj told reporters, "Religion should be separate from political power and the state should not interfere, encourage or discourage any religion. In this context, I had cited the example of Kumbh fair expenditure as it was huge."
He asked why should there be any controversy, heart-burning, conflict or communal disturbance over one religion being favoured by the government over another. "So, let us stop for all," Unit Raj said.
"Earlier, there was a lot of corruption and rebellion, then modern democracy evolved and got completely separated from religion. Why should there be any controversy, heart-burning, conflict or communal disturbance that one religion is favoured and the other isn't? So, let us stop for all," he said.
Earlier, Udit Raj had tweeted, "No religious teachings and rituals should be funded by the Govt. The state doesn't have its own religion. UP govt spent 4,200 crores in organising the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and that too was wrong."
With ANI inputs