News Brief
'Ultimately, We All Are Hindus': D K Shivakumar Defends Karnataka Government's Decision To Celebrate Ayodhya Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony
Nayan Dwivedi
Jan 09, 2024, 12:14 PM | Updated 12:19 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
In a bid to showcase unity and religious inclusivity, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has defended the Congress-ruled state's decision to celebrate the upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Kerala for the Ramachandran Foundation award ceremony, Shivakumar asserted, "ultimately, we all are Hindus".
On being asked why the Congress high command had not decided to take part in the ceremony at Ayodhya, he said the BJP-ruled Centre was adopting a pick-and-choose method in deciding who should be at the event.
Also Read: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Bats For Laws To Regulate Media Ownership By Political, Business Entities
Shivakumar emphasised that religious symbols and places are not private property but belong to the public.
As reported by The Hindu, he expressed respect for the sentiments of all citizens and underlined the state government's commitment to diverse sections, including minorities, SC/STs, OBCs, and the Hindu community.
His statements come amid the controversy surrounding the participation of Congress leaders in the Ayodhya ceremony.
The Supreme Court's historic 2019 verdict supported the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, leading to the scheduled consecration ceremony on 22 January.
As the Ram temple in Ayodhya becomes a focal point of national attention, political leaders try to navigate the delicate balance between religious sentiments and political inclusivity.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.