Shastra Puja politics: Naqvi makes big claim over Congress' criticism

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has called out Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge for calling Rafale handover ceremony and 'Shastra puja' as 'tamasha'. He also accused Congress party of forgetting Indian traditions.

" urge to play politics in everything has pushed Congress leaders far away from our culture and traditions," Naqvi said.

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Handover ceremony on Vijaydashmi

During his visit to France, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had performed Shastra Puja on  Rafale aircraft, as hand-over ceremony coincided with 87th Air Force day celebrations and festival of Vijaydashmi.

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Reacting to  acceptance ceremony of Rafale, Congress leader Kharge said that his party did t show off when y bought weapons-like Bofors gun. "se people go, show off, sit inside ( aircraft)," he said, referring to Rajnath Singh's sortie in aircraft after performing rituals.

In response to this, Naqvi said, "What problem do se people have if someone is promoting Indian culture? Unfortunately, y did t see such a thing (during ir tenure) and were busy in or things. y are worried w."

first aircraft of 36 French-built Rafale fighter jet with tail number RB-001 was handed over to India on October 8. formal  Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for 36 Rafale aircraft procurement was signed between Government of India and Government of France on September 23, 2016. 

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Handover Ceremony

Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier received Rajnath Singh at handover ceremony, where Defence Minister performed 'Shastra Puja' on occasion of Dussehra, and ahead of his sortie in fighter jet. India had ordered 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a deal worth Rs 59,000 crore in September 2016. While formal handover ceremony takes place this week, first batch of four Rafale jets will fly to ir home base in India by May 2020. 

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(With inputs from ANI)