Mysuru (Karnataka) [India], September 1 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of politicising the Dasara festival through its 'Chamundi Chalo' program in Mysuru.
Responding to the BJP's Dharmasthala Yatra, Siddaramaiah asserted his Hindu identity and criticised the party for using Hindutva as political propaganda.
"BJP is doing politics on the Dasara festival. They are organising the Chamundi Chalo program in Mysuru. The BJP thinks that Hindutva will be strengthened and all Hindus will unite. I am also a Hindu. Haven't we built a Ram temple in our town? Hindus are not about politics, propaganda, or lying," he said.
He added, "The BJP is also engaging in politics during the Dussehra festival. Does anything else come to them besides lying?"
Siddaramaiah said, "The BJP knows that Hindutva will be strengthened and all Hindus will unite. I am also a Hindu. Haven't we built a Ram temple in our town?"
He questioned, adding, "Hindus are not about politics, propaganda, or lying. Anyone should have a mentality."
On the announcement of writer Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the Mysuru Dasara in Chamundeshwari temple, the Chief Minister said, "Banu Mushtaq received the Booker Prize and how many people have received this award, and said that the Dassehra inauguration has been given to honour her."
He further said politics will not have any effect on the Dussehra festival. "Chamundi Hills may be the property of Hindus. Isn't the Dussehra festival a national festival? A national festival means that everyone participates together. A festival celebrated by Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists together," he said.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah inaugurated the new building of PM Shri Karnataka Public School in Siddaramanahundi, his hometown in Varuna assembly constituency. "The debt of the hometown will always be on me," he said.
He recalled that the school where he studied from Classes 5 to 7 had been adopted by the Kempegowda International Airport Authority and rebuilt in collaboration with the Education Department. "I inaugurated the building with great joy," he said.
Highlighting the facilities in the town, Siddaramaiah noted that primary, high schools, and PU colleges were operational. The degree course had not been opened due to a lack of students. "But there are other facilities in the town like BCM hostel, veterinary clinic, library, and community health centre," he added.
Taking a dig at the opposition, he remarked, "BJP, which has not seen the development of the government, knows nothing but lies."
On Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's statement that Chamundi Hills is not the property of Hindus, Siddaramaiah said, "The issue is not about Chamundi Hills, but about the Dussehra festival."
Minister Venkatesh and officials of the School Education Department were also present at the event.