CM Sukhu Leads Congress Leaders in Temple Visit Amid Donation Scam Allegations
On Tuesday morning, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, accompanied by state Congress president Vinay Kumar and several ministers, visited the local Ram temple and Hanuman temple in Shimla. The visit came a day after the Congress party announced it would aggressively raise the alleged Ram Mandir donation scam before the public.
The leaders walked through the streets chanting slogans in praise of Lord Rama and against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sukhu stated, "We prayed to Lord Rama to show the right path to the people who collected donations in the name of Lord Rama and in the name of religion. The BJP seems to believe in ‘Ram naam japna, chanda-chadwa apna’."
Donation Scam Called 'Theft of Faith'
The Chief Minister characterized the donation scam as a theft of faith and devotion, not merely of money or other valuables donated to the temple. "It’s an emotional issue for every Hindu, and they would stand up against the fraud," he said.
Sukhu noted that almost everyone, including himself, had contributed to the temple construction according to their means. "We all are Hindus, and the BJP should stop issuing certificates to people. A true devotee of Lord Rama will never use his name for politics," he added.
Political Context and Reactions
The alleged scam involves the collection of donations for the Ram Mandir construction, which the Congress claims has been mishandled. The BJP has not yet officially responded to the allegations. The Congress party's strategy to highlight the issue aims to mobilize public sentiment ahead of upcoming elections.
The temple visit underscores the political significance of the Ram Mandir issue in Himachal Pradesh, where religious sentiments often influence voter behavior. The Congress leaders' prayers and slogans were intended to position the party as the true guardian of Hindu faith, contrasting with the BJP's alleged exploitation of religion for political gain.
