Cong govt trying to emulate BJP’s tactics?

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Is the Congress Party trying to adopt a strategy that it once lambasted the BJP for?

The party is now making efforts to woo women voters, by organizing the distribution of vermillion, turmeric, and green glass bangles at certain temples across the state on August 25, coinciding with the Varamahakshmi festival.

An official order has been issued by the Department of Muzrai to all major temples under its jurisdiction to strictly follow this directive. The circular mandates the provision of vermillion, turmeric, Kasturi, and green glass bangles, all neatly packed in a cover bearing the government logo.

These items are to be placed before the deity before being distributed to female devotees.

Interestingly, when the previous BJP Government issued similar orders to Muzrai-controlled temples for holding special pujas during certain significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, Congress leaders, including incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, were vocal in attacking the then government for allegedly promoting Hindutva.

Now the Congress Government, led by Siddaramaiah, seems to be adopting a similar strategy.

The government’s recent ‘Shakti’ scheme offers free travel for women across the State, incurring an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore within the first three months of its implementation.

The circular specifies that vermillion and turmeric must be elegantly packaged with the government logo and must bear the name of the respective temples.

The expenses associated with these arrangements will be covered by funds allocated to the temples by the Department of Muzrai.