Congress and BJP spar over declaring holiday in Karnataka on January 22

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Jan 21, 2024: Amidst demand by the opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) to declare a public holiday on Monday on the occasion of consecration of the Ram idol at Ayodhya, the Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on January 21 said that the Congress government neither needs lesson on religion nor pressure should be brought on the government for declaring holiday.

“We have continued our culture and tradition by following rituals. We do not need lessons from others on religion and devotion. Pressure should also be not brought on the government [to declare holiday],” the Deputy Chief Minister told presspersons here. His response came after both opposition parties urged the Government to declare public holiday on Monday. “We do not use devotion, respect and religion for publicity. We also believe that prayers help us and that is why we have asked people to offer prayers”.

"Siddaramaiah has Rama in his name, I have Shiva in my name. Nobody has to teach us anything or pressurise us. We’ll do our duty," he said.

The BJP has been targeting the Karnataka government for not declaring a public holiday in the state on January 22, when Ayodhya Ram temple’s consecration ceremony is to take place.

Several states across the country have declared a public holiday on Jan 22.

Notably, both Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih and DK Shiva Kumar are not going to attend the temple consecration event in Ayodhya.

On being asked by reporters why the Congress High Command had not decided to take part in the ceremony, DK Shivakumar said that the BJP-ruled Centre was adopting a pick-and-choose method in deciding who should be at the event.

"They (BJP) are picking and choosing leaders. There are so many leaders and chief ministers in the country. It is not a private property. It is public property. Every religion and symbol does not belong to any individual," the Karnataka Deputy CM said.