BENGALURU: Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said on Friday that Mysuru Dasara is a Hindu festival and not a cultural programme.
Opposing the decision to invite writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Dasara celebrations, Ashoka accused the Congress government of turning the state festival into a political event.
Addressing reporters here, Ashoka said before the inauguration of Dasara, there will be gou pooja/Nandi pooja. “Muslims do not believe in worshipping idols. Let Banu clarify that she has no objection to offering pooja to idols,’’ he said.
Minister Zameer Ahmed should also issue a clarification regarding his stand on worshipping idols, Ashoka said.
He said BJP will fight to protect the sanctity of Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru. He alleged that some “urban naxals” have joined hands with the Congress government to disturb communal harmony.
Slamming Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for stating that Chamundeshwari temple is not a property of Hindus, Ashoka said, “Will this government remove the archaks offering pooja at the temple and recruit mullahs or priests? This is nothing but a conspiracy against the Hindus. Whenever the Congress comes to power, there will be murders of Hindu activists.’’
Ashoka said BJP, which is fighting for the cause of Dharmasthala, will take up this cause as well. “We will launch a campaign to save Hindu temples in the coming days. The Congress government is insulting our culture and tradition,’’ he added.