Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal chants 'Jai Shri Ram' a day after AAP minister denounces Hindu deities
In an act of damage control, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today chanted "Jai Shri Ram" at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) event in Gujarat's Vadodara, a day after party leader Rajendra Pal Gautam sparked a row with his remarks in a Buddhism event in Delhi, media reports said.
Addressing the 'Tiranga Rally', Kejriwal referred to Hindu mythology to accuse the BJP of insulting Gods.
He then went on to raise slogans of "Jai Sri Ram" and "Jai Sri Krishna" while asserting himself as a steadfast devotee.
अब ये लोग भगवान को भी बदनाम करने लगे हैं। ये सारी असुरी शक्तियाँ एक हो गईं हैं।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 8, 2022
मैं एक बेहद धार्मिक आदमी हूँ। मेरा जन्म श्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी के दिन हुआ था। भगवान श्री कृष्ण ने मुझे एक काम देकर भेजा है - इन कंस की औलादों का सफ़ाया करना, जनता को इनसे मुक्ति दिलाना। pic.twitter.com/lBhQqNQWKx
Kejriwal's show of reverence to Hindu deities comes a day after AAP's Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam allegedly denounced Hindu Gods at a religious conversion event where hundreds took a pledge to convert to Buddhism.
After the video of the event went viral, Gautam found himself in the middle of a controversy.
Calling it an insult to Hindus, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "the words being spoken in the video make it clear how AAP hates Hinduism and the followers of Hinduism."
Bhatia said, " in view of the elections, the sentiments of Hindus are hurt at the behest of Kejriwal ji to maintain the vote bank"
"Kejriwal ji, how much will you fall for votes?" he added.
"We demand the arrest of such a minister who is spreading hatred, who wants to cause riots. Kejriwal ji , you should Immediately sack such minister" he said.
Earlier, the BJP's Delhi unit tweeted the video, accusing the AAP minister of "spewing venom" against Hindus.
"See how Kejriwal's minister is spewing venom against Hindus. The anti-Hindu face of the electoral Hindu Kejriwal and AAP has come in front of everyone. The public will soon give a befitting reply to the anti-Hindu AAP. Shame on you, Kejriwal," it tweeted.
Rebutting the BJP attack Rajendra Pal Gautam, who serves as the Social Welfare Minister in the Delhi Cabinet said "BJP is anti-national. I have faith in Buddhism, why does anyone have trouble with it? Let them complain.
"The constitution gives us the freedom to follow any religion. BJP is afraid of AAP. They can only lodge fake cases against us," he tweeted.
According to an NDTV report, countering the BJP's charges, Kejriwal said: "Main Hanuman ka bhakt hun. Aur ye Kansa ki aulaad hain (I'm a devotee of Hanuman, while they are the descendants of Kansa.)
He added: "I was born on the day of Janmashtami. God has sent me with a special motive: Go destroy Kansa ki aulaad and the ones doing corruption."
Earlier, BJP workers installed anti-AAP posters and banners on Kejriwal's route to the rally venue, which were removed by the AAP workers.
At the event, AAP also took a dig at Congress. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, "Congress is in a coma". He also mocked BJP saying that Lotus (BJP's symbol) would not bloom anymore, as it blooms in the mud but we have a broom (AAP's symbol).
Mann added that the people of Gujarat are done with the BJP and the saffron party is afraid of the voters.
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