Mangalore, Jan 14: Senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary's negative remarks on fellow Congressman Vijaynath Vittal Shetty's donning saffron attire seems to have not gone down well with other Congress members. After Poojary walked away insulting several Congressmen publicly in the past without getting back any replies, this time, former Mayor K Ashraf has opted to raise voice against the remark done by veteran leader.
In the programme organized to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda held in the city recently, Mr. Poojary had criticized Mr. Shetty for donning saffron clothes stating that as a member of the Indian National Congress he should have kept aside his 'Kavi' (saffron) clothes and donned white khadi clothes.
In a written statement issued to the press, Mr. Ashraf has stated that saffron is a part of the national flag and it is because of such attitude displayed by Congress leaders such as Mr. Poojary that majority Hindu votes fall in the kitty of the BJP.
“No one feels that by donning saffron clothes one becomes anti-minorities. Wearing saffron is not something which a particular organization or party has taken on contract. The minorities did not oppose the Swami Vivekananda programme and extended their cooperation instead. What is wrong with a Congressman wearing saffron clothes?” Mr. Ashraf has questioned.
Congressmen need not feel ashamed of maintaining their Hindu identity, Mr. Ashraf has said. “There are Hindus in Congress. Why do we have to feel ashamed to show that we are representatives of Hindus? The Congress party has lost its Hindu votes because Hindus in the party have stopped observing Hindu rituals and culture in public”, the former Mayor has stated.
Comments
Add new comment