The SP leader had stated that Badrinath temple is located on the ruins of a Buddha temple
Sunday, 30 JULY 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The statement of the senior leader of Samajwadi Party Swami Prasad Maurya that Badrinath temple is built on the ruins of a Buddha temple has elicited strong criticism in Uttarakhand. Political parties cutting across party lines have condemned Maurya for his comment.
Understanding the sentiments of the people of the State, former chief minister Harish Rawat launched an attack on the SP leader for the comment. Rawat took to social media to condemn Maurya on Saturday, a day after the BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt questioned the Congress leaders for not criticising Maurya’s statement. Rawat said that some people are infected with mouth disease. He said that if some opposition leader is commenting on temples and is trying to peep into the history of their construction then it is commendable. “The person is playing on the agenda and pitch of BJP. Swami Prasad Maurya should know that digging of places of worship is the agenda of BJP,’’ he said. Rawat added that Badrinath is the symbol of faith of crores and crores of people and is protector of humanity. In his post the former CM clearly said that by making this comment on Badrinath temple Maurya is helping the BJP.
It is pertinent to mention here that Maurya is in SP which is the latest ally of the Congress party. In the recently forged coalition of opposition parties, Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) both Congress and SP have come on one platform against the BJP. An astute politician that he is, Harish Rawat understands the possible effect of Maurya’s comment in Uttarakhand which is dominated by Hindus and where people keep lord Badrinath in very high reverence.
On Friday chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had also criticised Maurya for the comment and said that the statement of Maurya reflects the ideology of Congress party and its partners. He said that Dimple Yadav, the wife of SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav understands the culture of Uttarakhand and she should explain the significance of Badrinath to Maurya.
