AICC plenary

Rahul's tale of two pujaris while explaining his temple visits draws BJP's ire

Rahul Gandhi folded hands Congress president Rahul Gandhi speaking at the AICC plenary

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday addressed the talk about his frequent visits to temples with a tale of two pujaris in two different temples, while trying to draw a distinction between the politics of the Congress and the BJP.

It was, however, evidently a risky business to undertake politically, as proved by the prompt reaction from the BJP which accused the Congress leader of mocking Hinduism and Hindu rituals.

“Elections took place in Gujarat. And people said that I am going to temples. This is strange, since I have been going to temples for years. I also go to masjids, gurudwaras and churches. In politics, wherever people call me, I go. And I get to learn,” Rahul said, referring to the charge that he practised soft Hindutva ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat, where he visited numerous temples.

He then went on to say he wanted to tell a story of two temples, and two pujaris, a 'Congress pujari' and a 'BJP pujari'.

Rahul said he went to a Shiv temple and performed puja. He asked the pujari about the meaning of the ritual. “The pujari said 'you are looking for god. You can find god anywhere. He is here in the temple. He is also there in the church or masjid or gurudwara. He is there in the trees, in the sky...what we do, let us do it...but if you are looking for god, you can find God anywhere',” he said.

Rahul then went on to narrate his experience at the second temple, which was again a Shiv temple.

“The pujari did the same puja. I asked him about the meaning of the puja. He said, 'I have done the puja for you. You are going to become the prime minister.'”

The Congress leader then said the pujari asked him to look at the roof of the temple, asking him what he saw there. “I said there is cement. Then he said, 'When you become prime minister, line it with gold,'” Rahul said.

He likened the priest of the first temple with Congress, saying he spoke the truth about god being present everywhere. “I am a soldier of truth. The dharm of the politics of BJP is only to get power,” he said.

It was evident that Rahul had tread on thin ice as he narrated the story of the two temples, especially since he is experimenting with soft Hindutva, with the BJP pouncing on him immediately.

Reacting promptly, BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman said at a press conference, “The Congress president and his party loses no opportunity to mock the Hindu religion and its rituals. The story he narrated of some priest asking him for a wall of gold for the temple is an example. This is a party that has questioned the very existence of Shri Rama. I would only suggest that he not go to quack priests but genuine ones.”