Congress demands PM’s apology for Hanuman remark

Mangaluru: AICC spokesperson Gourav Vallabh demanded an unconditional apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the 6.5 crore people of Karnataka, for insulting Lord Hanuman, by equating the ardent devotee of Lord Ram with an individual or organisation.
The Congress manifesto released on Tuesday, proposes a ban on the Bajrang Dal in Karnataka, and this is being strongly opposed by the BJP. Vallabh told reporters on Wednesday, that the Prime Minister and others from the BJP refuse to speak about the scam-ridden 40% BJP government, and are merely looking for excuses to polarise the election.
“For PM Modi and the BJP, each election is about division on grounds of religion, instead of giving answers on the basic issues of corruption, back-breaking price rise, rampant unemployment, the ugly and unacceptable concentration of wealth among a few, and an all-pervading atmosphere of hate,” he alleged.
“The Constitution and the law are clear, and allow to take decisive action as per law, against any individual or organisation spreading hatred or enmity on the grounds of caste or religion. The duty to follow ‘raj dharma’ is necessary for the Prime Minister and chief minister, but they refuse to do so. To compare Lord Hanuman as synonymous to any individual or organisation is an insult, and the PM is hurting the feelings and sentiments of millions of bhakts of Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman depicts piousness, and commitment to reverence and duty, and symbolises service and sacrifice. Millions of Hanuman Bhakts will fight this with full rigour, and the party is more focused on the implementation of the Karavali charter, which also includes introducing the Shree Swami Vivekananda Communal and Social Harmony Committee in every gram panchayat,” he said.