D K Shivakumar defends government’s stand against declaring holiday for Ayodhya event

Bengaluru, Jan 21: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday strongly defended the State Government’s stand of not declaring a holiday on the occasion of consecration of Lord Rama’s idol at Ayodhya.

Speaking to media persons near his residence, he said, “We have been practising our traditions and rituals for a long time. We don’t need to learn from others about religion and devotion.”

Replying to BJP leaders’ call to declare a holiday on Monday for the consecration of Lord Rama at Ayodhya, he said BJP has turned the religious ceremony into a party event and for projection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We don’t use religion for publicity. We believe that prayers yield results and hence we have ordered special pooja at all the temples under the Muzrai department even before anyone asked for it. We don’t need lectures from others on this. We know what to do,’’ he said.

The deputy chief minister, who is also heading the State Congress, said; “There is Rama in Siddaramaiah’s name and Shiva in my name. We know our rituals and traditions. There should be dharma in politics but not politics in dharma.”