Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Congress for mocking 'Shastra Puja'

As Rajnath Singh was heavily mocked by the opposition for performing ‘Shastra Puja’ in France, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has slammed the Congress members for making fun of the ritual. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while speaking to ANI, has said that Congress is “Nautanki”. He added that it’s habitual for Congress to make fun of the Indian culture. Rajnath Singh, in France, while receiving the first Rafale aircraft, on the occasion of Dussehra, applied vermillion and made an ‘Aum’ sign on the jet. Later, the pictures of lemons kept under the wheels of the jet also started making rounds on the internet. Various Congress members had trolled this ‘Shastra Puja’ that the defence minister, Rajnath Singh performed. 

"They should apologise"

Shivraj Singh Chouhan also asked for an apology from the Congress Party. "What is the problem if Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed 'Shastra Puja' on the Rafale fighter jet? Are they objecting to the 'Aum', Hinduism or Sanatan culture? They should apologize,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan.  

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Rajnath Singh on criticism 

The Union Minister of Defence, after returning from France, spoke to the media and responded to the Opposition's criticism over performing of 'Shastra puja'. Singh said, "People can say whatever they want. I did what I thought was right and I will continue to do so. This is our faith, that there is a superpower and I have believed it since childhood." 

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"People from all religions have the right to pray according to their beliefs. I would not have objected if someone else had done the same. I feel there must have been a difference of opinion over the issue in Congress as well, it would not have been everybody's opinion," he said. 

Leaders who mocked Singh

The Congress and NCP leaders that mocked the Shastra Puja while receiving Rafale include leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Alka Lamba, Sharad Pawar, etc. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday, termed the acceptance ceremony and 'Shastra Puja' of Rafale fighter jet in France as 'tamasha' (drama).

NCP supremo Pawar compared using lemons under jet's wheels to the hanging of lemons and chillis on a truck. On the other hand, Alka Lamba brought in the religious angle and said that former President Abdul Kalam wouldn't have performed this ceremony with a Quran in his hand.

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