In a strongly-worded critique of the Congress, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, delivered a scathing address on Wednesday, urging the grand old party not to impart lessons on secularism to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Sarma made these remarks during a public rally held in the Kawardha assembly constituency of Chhattisgarh, which is gearing up for upcoming polls. During his address, he criticized the government led by Bhupesh Baghel in the state, citing an increase in cases related to 'love jihad' and conversions.
He emphasized that acts like 'love jihad,' conversions, and violence against Hindus could not be justified under the banner of secularism. Sarma also warned that if Congress were to come to power, these issues might intensify.
"Love Jihad" initially gained prominence during the Congress's tenure in the country, Sarma claimed. He also pointed out that tribals in Assam and Chhattisgarh are encouraged daily to undergo conversions, primarily to Christianity. When objections are raised against such actions, Bhupesh Baghel, according to Sarma, labels himself as secular.
Sarma further questioned whether the Congress's definition of secularism included killing Hindus. In his view, India belongs to Hindus and will continue to do so, and he expressed his desire for the Congress not to impart lessons on secularism.
He argued that constructing a mosque for Babar after the destruction of the Ram Temple was not an act of secularism. Similarly, he contended that religious conversions are not indicative of secularism. In his view, the Congress did not take any steps to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and their actions have shown that they worshipped Babar, a reference to the Muslim invaders.
Sarma praised the BJP and its leader, Narendra Modi, for delivering on their promises. He cited the forthcoming completion of the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as an example of a promise fulfilled by the BJP.
Furthermore, he targeted the Congress for failing to keep their promise of implementing prohibition in the state, instead accusing the Bhupesh Baghel government of earning a reputation for "selling liquor." Sarma urged the people to vote for the BJP candidate Vijay Sharma to save Chhattisgarh from 'love jihad' and religious conversions.
The Congress has renominated its senior leader and state minister Mohammad Akbar from the Kawardha seat. Chhattisgarh, which is governed by the Congress, is set to go to the polls in two phases on November 7 and November 17, with vote counting scheduled for December 3.
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