Maharashtra Congress chief and MLA from Sakoli, Nana Patole has stoked a controversy after he called for the purification of Ram Temple in Ayodhya if Opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc comes to power.
Calling for the purification of the Ram Mandir, Nana Patole in his remarks slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he didn't follow right rituals before performing the 'Pran Pratishtha' -- the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t follow the right rituals before performing Pran Pratistha ceremony. The Shankaracharyas also vented their disagreement with it. People also want purification of the temple,” Patole said while speaking to reporters.
Nana Patole said that the purification of the Ram Mandir will be performed by the four Shankracharayas in a way which is acceptable to all.
Patole said that the Shankaracharyas, the biggest priests in the Hindu religion will lead the Pran Pratistha ceremony in a way that is acceptable as per Hindu customs.
The Congress leader further mentioned that the Shankracharayas had earlier opposed to the 'Pran Pratishtha' but BJP and PM Modi went ahead with it.
Patole also said that at present there are two idols of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple but they (I.N.D.I.A bloc government) will replace it with Ram Darbar.
Responding to the Congress leader's remarks, Pramod Krishnam, who was expelled from the 'Grand Old Party', slammed him for insulting and derogatory remarks.
"This is an absurd and ridiculous statement. By taking Lord Ram’s name, one becomes pure. All our sins get washed away by taking his name. What does Congress want to say by purification?," Krishnam asked.
He also advised the Congress to first get rid of their hatred against Lord Ram before talking about purification. "If Congress pursues such rhetoric, this will spell doom for the party," he added.
BJP slams Nana Patole
Slamming Nana Patole, a couple of BJP Spokespersons said that Congress leader's remarks were in bad taste and reprehensible.
BJP leader Rohan Gupta slammed the 'Grand Old Party' for their hatred and opposition to the Ram Lalla.
“First they questioned the existence of Ram Lalla, then opposed its construction and declined an invite for the Pran Pratistha ceremony. Today, it talks about the purification of the temple. Those who didn’t visit the temple are making calls for purification, it’s absurd,” Rohan Gupta said.
“Congress has developed a habit of crossing the line, in its hatred for Prime Minister. People of the country won’t forgive it for its sins. INDIA bloc won’t get a chance to return to power,” he added.
RP Singh, another BJP Spokesperson, slammed the party’s double-standards on the issue.
“They kept opposing the existence and realisation of Ram Lalla dream. Their leaders never paid a visit to Ram Temple and today, they want its purification,” he said.
With inputs from agencies
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