Bengaluru, Karnataka – BJP MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty has criticized the recent Cauvery Aarti organized at Sankey Tank in Bengaluru, calling it “a very funny thing” and accusing the ruling party of using it as a political tactic to appease the Hindu community.
In a statement, Shetty linked the Aarti to recent political decisions, such as the presentation of a “Halal budget” and the 4% reservation for Muslims. He argued that these moves had upset the Hindu majority that supported the ruling party, particularly in light of their expectations for Hindu-centric policies. “Hindus who have voted for them, the majority of Hindus have brought them to power. All the Hindus are upset. Just to do an eye wash to the Hindus, they are doing this aarti at the Sankey Tank,” he said.
Shetty further questioned the sincerity of the event, drawing attention to a statement made by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. “On the other hand, their national president, Kharge Ji, goes and says that if you go to Prayagraj and take a dip in water three times, nothing is going to change. If nothing is going to change, why are they doing aarti here?” Shetty asked, suggesting a contradiction in the Congress party’s stance on religious rituals.
The BJP MLA also took aim at the Congress party’s apparent opposition to Hindu religious practices. “When we do Ganga aarti, they have an issue. The Congress is top-notch and has an issue. But why are you doing all this drama here when you don’t believe in it in the first place?” he questioned.
The Cauvery Aarti, which was organized by the state government to honor the Cauvery river and promote religious unity, has sparked political controversy. While some view it as a positive step to engage with Hindu sentiments, others see it as a symbolic gesture aimed at placating the Hindu community amidst other controversial policy decisions.
As the debate intensifies, the issue of religious appeasement in politics remains a hot topic in Karnataka’s ongoing political discourse.
