BJP, Sangh Parivar launch huge outreach event ahead of Ram Mandir consecration | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU : In an unprecedented outreach initiative, BJP and several other proHindu organisations have launched a massive effort to connect with Hindu households in Karnataka ahead of the grand consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
The extensive campaign involves distribution of ‘akshate’ (unbroken rice grains coated with haldi and kumkum) and images of the Ram temple.However, while the programme is primarily aimed at religious engagement, it has not escaped political scrutiny and Congress has accused the saffron party of using the event for political gain.
The outreach programme was launched on January 1 and will continue until January 15. Between seven and eight lakh BJP functionaries and members of pro-Hindu groups are involved, and they visit Hindu households distributing ‘mantrakshate’ — a picture of the Ram Mandir, and guidelines for the day of the temple’s inauguration.
Jagannath Shastry, state secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said they aim to visit at least one crore households, emphasizing that the initiative is part of a nationwide effort organized by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.
He said the ‘mantrakshate’ and Ram temple pictures were dispatched from Ayodhya by the trust. Each district has got about 5kg of rice from the holy city.
VHP members in Belagavi are distributing local rice in addition to ‘akshate’, while members of the Sangh Parivar are encouraging households to light five lamps on the evening of January 22.
Massive preparations
Pro-Hindu organisations have also organised special pujas in temples across the state on the day of the temple consecration. LED screens are being set up at prominent temples to enable devotees to witness live telecast of the ceremony. Some temples are also arranging prasadam (lunch) for devotees.
The ruling Congress has criticised BJP, with minister for fisheries, Mankal Vaidya, alleging that BJP is misleading the public and leveraging the occasion for political gain.
But Jagannath Shastry refuted these claims, asserting that the initiative is “apolitical” and is being celebrated by Hindus nationwide. He emphasised that portraying it as a politically motivated event is inaccurate.
Incidentally, on Sunday, the Congress government issued a circular directing all 34,000 muzrai temples across the state to organise a special puja on January 22 to mark the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the temple in Ayodhya.
The extensive campaign involves distribution of ‘akshate’ (unbroken rice grains coated with haldi and kumkum) and images of the Ram temple.However, while the programme is primarily aimed at religious engagement, it has not escaped political scrutiny and Congress has accused the saffron party of using the event for political gain.
The outreach programme was launched on January 1 and will continue until January 15. Between seven and eight lakh BJP functionaries and members of pro-Hindu groups are involved, and they visit Hindu households distributing ‘mantrakshate’ — a picture of the Ram Mandir, and guidelines for the day of the temple’s inauguration.
Jagannath Shastry, state secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said they aim to visit at least one crore households, emphasizing that the initiative is part of a nationwide effort organized by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.
He said the ‘mantrakshate’ and Ram temple pictures were dispatched from Ayodhya by the trust. Each district has got about 5kg of rice from the holy city.
VHP members in Belagavi are distributing local rice in addition to ‘akshate’, while members of the Sangh Parivar are encouraging households to light five lamps on the evening of January 22.
Massive preparations
Pro-Hindu organisations have also organised special pujas in temples across the state on the day of the temple consecration. LED screens are being set up at prominent temples to enable devotees to witness live telecast of the ceremony. Some temples are also arranging prasadam (lunch) for devotees.
The ruling Congress has criticised BJP, with minister for fisheries, Mankal Vaidya, alleging that BJP is misleading the public and leveraging the occasion for political gain.
But Jagannath Shastry refuted these claims, asserting that the initiative is “apolitical” and is being celebrated by Hindus nationwide. He emphasised that portraying it as a politically motivated event is inaccurate.
Incidentally, on Sunday, the Congress government issued a circular directing all 34,000 muzrai temples across the state to organise a special puja on January 22 to mark the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the temple in Ayodhya.