Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and state BJP president Rajeev Bindal engaged in a heated verbal exchange on Wednesday over the issue of being a 'true Sanatani' and allegiance to Lord Ram, intensifying the political slugfest in the state.
Vikramaditya Hits Back at Bindal
Responding to Bindal's earlier remarks, Vikramaditya stated, "Bindal ji has now himself admitted that he has lived in Himachal for only 35 years. He is my senior and BJP Chief and I have full respect for him but he must also desist from making such objectionable statements." The minister asserted that the BJP chief was not qualified to certify whether someone is a true Sanatani or not.
On Tuesday, Vikramaditya had lashed out at Bindal for calling Congress leaders' visit to the Ram temple a political drama. The minister remarked, "My 122 generations who have been living in Himachal have believed in Sanatan and worshipped Lord Ram. Congress does not need a certificate from Bindal, who is not even a bonafide Himachali and lived in Haryana till some time back."
Bindal Defends His Stance
Bindal responded on Wednesday by addressing the people of Himachal, saying he had been serving them for the last 35 years. "Everyone is well aware about the anti-Hindu stance of the Congress which has been opposed to the construction of Ram temple merely because of politics of appeasement," said Bindal. He added, "I do not require a certificate from you. The manner in which people of Himachal have rejected Congress in the urban local body and panchayat polls is before anyone. Do not take out your frustration on others."
Congress Demands Probe into Ram Temple Fund Scam
Vikramaditya further stated that any party or individual is free to visit a temple and does not require BJP's permission or certificate. Referring to former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, who termed Congress anti-Hindu, the minister said, "I want to tell him we are not anti-Hindu but want a fair and impartial probe into the Ram temple fund scam."
Political Slugfest Intensifies
The war of words over the Ram Mandir issue has escalated in Himachal Pradesh, with both Congress and BJP trying to gain political mileage. Bindal questioned why Congress had not fulfilled the guarantees made to the people before the 2022 assembly polls even after more than three years in power. The exchange highlights the deepening political divide in the state ahead of upcoming elections.
