New Delhi, July 15 (IANS) BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal over the latter’s participation in a Sundarkand recitation and the party’s campaign over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, questioning the sincerity of Kejriwal’s religious outreach.
Speaking to reporters, Tiwari alleged that Kejriwal’s expressions of devotion were politically motivated and claimed that his actions did not align with his political positions on issues concerning Hindu religious sites.
“Arvind Kejriwal is a ‘chunavi Hindu’. He is not a Hindu the rest of the time; in fact, the rest of the time, he is against Hindus and their religious beliefs. If he is really a Sundar Kand supporter, then such a person can never oppose Mathura Shri Krishna Bhoomi temple construction.”
Tiwari’s remarks came amid a political war of words over the AAP’s campaign surrounding the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Earlier this week, the Aam Aadmi Party launched a nationwide signature campaign demanding strict punishment for those allegedly involved in the Ram Temple donation theft case. The campaign began with a Sundarkand recitation in Delhi’s Rohini in the presence of Arvind Kejriwal.
Sundarkand is a revered chapter of the Ramcharitmanas dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is widely recited by devotees across the country.
During the launch of the campaign, Kejriwal said it had been initiated with the blessings of Lord Hanuman and appealed to people to support the initiative by signing letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The letters seek stringent action against those responsible for what the AAP has termed “chanda-chori” (donation theft) at the Ram Temple.
According to the party, the signature campaign aims to build public support for a transparent investigation and strict punishment for anyone found guilty in the alleged donation-related irregularities.
However, the BJP has dismissed the campaign as politically motivated.
Earlier, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra criticised Kejriwal’s participation in the Sundarkand recitation, describing it as nothing more than a “political gimmick” aimed at reviving his political fortunes.
Malhotra also accused the former Delhi Chief Minister of “insulting” the Hindu faith by displaying what he termed “hypocritical devotion” in the name of Lord Hanuman and the Sundarkand Paath.
–IANS
rs/dpb