In another controversial statement, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Tuesday (17 September) said people wearing saffron robes were committing rapes inside temples and selling churan (reference to drugs), reported India Today.

“Even God will not spare those who have defamed the ancient Sanatana Dharma. People wearing saffron robes are committing rapes inside temples and selling churan,” said Singh while speaking at the Sant Samagam organised by the Madhya Pradesh Adhyatmik Vibhag (Spiritual Department) in Bhopal.

News agency ANI tweeted a video of him making the statement at the event where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath was also present

Former MP chief minister went on to say the Jai Shri Ram slogan had also been hijacked by people with political interests. Adding to this he said, “The slogan should, in fact, be Jai Siya Ram. When we raise the slogan in the name of Lord Ram, why do we forget Sita?”

Saints from across the state had attended the event in the leadership of Narmada Mandakini trust chairman Computer Baba, who demanded the government-owned temple lands should be permanently allotted in the names of Sadhus running them.

Responding to the demand, CM Kamal Nath said, “We give land to industrialists and traders, why will we not give land to sadhus? In future, the saints will not have to raise such demands.”