Yediyurappa hits out at oppn leaders over Ram temple funds
BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday hit out at opposition leaders, especially former CMs Siddaramaiah and H D Kumaraswamy, for casting aspersions on fund mobilisation for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Both the leaders had alleged there was lack of transparency in the fund collection drive.
Kumarswamy had on Monday accused the RSS of marking houses of those who gave donations for Ram Temple in Ayodhya and those who did not and alleged it was similar to what the Nazis did in Germany.
The statement drew widespread reaction from various quarters including the Pejawar Math seer Swami Vishwa Prasanna Teertha, who demanded proof from Kumaraswamy to substantiate his claim.
Addressing a public meeting at Shivamogga on Wednesday, the chief minister said no one is compelled to donate for Ram temple. “We are not forcing anyone to donate for Ram temple. When Hindu, Muslim and Christians are assisting one mother (India), some people are making nasty comments, which doesn’t suit their stature,” Yediyurappa said.
“With deep anguish I say that at least from now on exercise caution while speaking in public and refrain from making unwanted comments,” Yediyurappa said.
The chief minister’s reaction came hours after Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday that he was not opposed to the construction of the shrine, but only wanted more transparency in the fund mobilisation.
The government has a responsibility to check who was collecting funds for the Ram Temple, he told a press conference here.
“I am neither opposed to the Ram Temple nor did I speak ill of any organisation or the collection of funds for Ram Temple. Even my party members have given money, but I want to know who has authorised those collecting money door-to- door? What’s their background? Who gave them licences,” he said. He said his objection was only to collection of funds for the temple construction without transparency and “loot and misuse” of funds in the name of Ram.
The RSS dismissed the former CM’s earlier allegations, saying they do not qualify for any response while the state unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is among the organisations collecting funds for the temple, condemned it.
The JDS leader said the donations could be done through online transactions.
“We have opened so many Jan Dhan accounts, then why cannot we collect money online? Why collect on the street and mark the houses?” the JD(S) leader asked.