In poll-bound Gujarat, a fresh war of words has erupted between the BJP and the Congress — this time over Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s religion. The BJP has alleged that Rahul registered himself as non-Hindu while visiting the Somnath temple, the Congress dubbed it as ‘mischief’ and said Rahul was a Shiv bhakt. The party even put out Rahul’s picture wearing janeu.
In the centre of the controversy is a handwritten register entry of the temple in which Rahul and Congress leader Ahmed Patel have been marked as non-Hindu. In the entry, Rahul has been entered as ‘Rahul Gandhiji’ under non Hindu category.
As photo of the handwritten entry became viral on the social media, Congress media coordinator Manoj Tyagi issued a statement saying he entered only his name in that register to take media personnel
inside, and that Gandhi’s and Patel’s names were added later. But the Somnath Trust’s Public Relation Officer said it was Tyagi who had entered both the names.
As per the tradition of Somnath temple, celebrities or political leaders visiting the Hindu religious place make some comment in the visitor’s book and a separate entry register where they are supposed to disclose their religion.
Rahul’s temple visits and his ‘soft hindutva’ approach seemed to have caught the BJP off guard. The party now looked determined to make political capital out of the controversy that has enraged the Congress.
Taking a swipe at Rahul, BJP’s Amit Malviya said the Congress leader had finally come clean on his religion. “If he isn’t a Hindu by faith, let alone a practising one, then why has he been fooling people with these temple visitsIJ” he asked.
Congress leader Deependra Hooda said the signature which was being talked of was different, and showed reporters Rahul’s original signature. Questioning the authenticity of the register entry, Hooda asked, “Why would Rahul Gandhi write “ji” next to his own name.”
“Not only is Rahul Gandhiji a Hindu, he is a janeu dhari Hindu. So, the BJP should not bring down the political discourse to this level,” Congress spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala tweeted.
In a retort from the BJP, its spokesperson Sambhit Patra later tweeted that religion was a matter of convenience, and not devotion for Rahul and the Congress.
“Why should there be a secretive air around Rahul GandhiIJ He is one of the most important political persons in Indian scenario. For Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, religion is a matter of convenience and not devotion. Rahul Gandhi must answer this,” Patra said.
He said the tip of the Congress’ conspiracy was visible today.
“They say this is a conspiracy but we say the Congress is a conspiracy. The tip of the iceberg of their conspiracy is visible today. There is no conspiracy by anyone. You are a sinner, sin is yours. Rahul Gandhi must say who he actually is,” Patra said in his tweet.