Saturday, April 18, 2009

Using Religion for Political Gain

By IANS, "Hindu saint asks people not to vote for BJP" - The Thai Indian - Bangkok, Thailand
Monday, April 13, 2009

Patna: A Hindu saint Monday asked the people not to support or vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has raised the issue of the Ram temple at Ayodhya again.

“We have been cautioning people across the country that the BJP is eyeing to capture power at the centre by using the Ram temple issue again. It is another example of mixing or using religion for political gain at the cost of the people and nation,” Mahant Janamjey Sharanji, the president of the Sri Ram Janam Bhoomi Nirman Nyas, Ayodhya said here.

“The much awaited construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya is possible through common or mutual agreement,” he said.

The seer, who is leading the “Sanatan Sant Sufi Yatra”, said the nine member team - comprising four Muslim Sufi saints and five Hindu seers - will go around India to create awareness among the people to teach a lesson to those playing politics in the name of religion.

He made it clear that their campaign from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to spread the message of peace, love and communal harmony by countering hatred, has nothing to do with any political party.

“We have been requesting people to discard politicians if he or she is playing politics in the name of religion. They may belong to any political party,” he said. The seer also termed senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s letter to Hindu saints last week as a “gimmick” to influence them before elections.

Sufi Mohd Geelani Kattan, the president of Ajmer unit of the World Sufi Council, said millions of people across the country were facing unemployment, starvation and poverty but none of the political parties had a clear stand on these issues.

“We are asking people to vote for those who promise to provide employment, food and fight against terror,” he said.

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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Using Religion for Political Gain
By IANS, "Hindu saint asks people not to vote for BJP" - The Thai Indian - Bangkok, Thailand
Monday, April 13, 2009

Patna: A Hindu saint Monday asked the people not to support or vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has raised the issue of the Ram temple at Ayodhya again.

“We have been cautioning people across the country that the BJP is eyeing to capture power at the centre by using the Ram temple issue again. It is another example of mixing or using religion for political gain at the cost of the people and nation,” Mahant Janamjey Sharanji, the president of the Sri Ram Janam Bhoomi Nirman Nyas, Ayodhya said here.

“The much awaited construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya is possible through common or mutual agreement,” he said.

The seer, who is leading the “Sanatan Sant Sufi Yatra”, said the nine member team - comprising four Muslim Sufi saints and five Hindu seers - will go around India to create awareness among the people to teach a lesson to those playing politics in the name of religion.

He made it clear that their campaign from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to spread the message of peace, love and communal harmony by countering hatred, has nothing to do with any political party.

“We have been requesting people to discard politicians if he or she is playing politics in the name of religion. They may belong to any political party,” he said. The seer also termed senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s letter to Hindu saints last week as a “gimmick” to influence them before elections.

Sufi Mohd Geelani Kattan, the president of Ajmer unit of the World Sufi Council, said millions of people across the country were facing unemployment, starvation and poverty but none of the political parties had a clear stand on these issues.

“We are asking people to vote for those who promise to provide employment, food and fight against terror,” he said.

No comments: