Hummingbird News Desk
KOLKATA, 27 JAN: Trinamul Congress national vice-president Pavan Varma ripped apart the BJP, saying that they don’t have a monopoly on Hinduism. He said BJP’s bid to misuse religion to divide people is an insult to Goa, Goans, and on their culture.
In a scathing attack on the BJP, Varma accused the BJP of playing politics of religion for petty political gains.
He categorically said, ‘BJP thinks they have monopoly on Hinduism and that’s not right. This misuse of religion is against the spirit of our civilization and the mandate of the Constitution.’ The statement was made during a media briefing that took place at the party office in Panaji where the former diplomat was accompanied by Goa TMC general secretaries Trajano D’Mello and Swati Kerkar.
Not mincing his words, Varma said, ‘The use of religion by the BJP to divide people is an insult to Goa and Goans. Trinamul Congress is directly and emphatically against BJP’s approach which stands for exclusion, violence and hate against other religions.’
Emphasizing the fact that TMC is inclusive, tolerant, plural, accommodating, and open to diversity, he said adding ‘Unfortunately the BJP’s form of Hinduism is a distortion of the religion.’
Elaborating on how the BJP thinks that they are the ‘Thekedaars’ (contractors) of Hinduism, he remarked, ‘BJP does not have monopoly on Hinduism. This imposition by some ‘thekedaars’ and the distortion and misuse of Hinduism needs to stop. The way BJP uses Hinduism is against the interest of women. If women don’t wear Bindis, they mount campaigns against them calling them anti-Hindus. If women wear jeans, there are members of BJP who claim it is against Hindu values. Not just that, some members of Sangh-Parivar even beat up women for eating out. This has happened in Karnataka.’
Varma further claimed that BJP in fact was bringing more harm to the Hindus by playing communal politics. He asked, “Do Hindus want endless political instability? Do Hindus constantly need to be told what to do, what to eat, what to wear and how to pray?”
Swati Kerkar reiterated, “Since the BJP has no real agenda, they always bring in religion during elections but the people of Goa are alert and they can see through such dirty tricks.”
Goa TMC condemns all such attempts by other parties to project themselves as the custodians of Hindu religion when in fact they are the ones who are bringing disrespect and damage to Goenkars at large.
Tags: #PavanVarma #Goa #Hinduism #BJP
