Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Tuesday took a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her announcement of laying the foundation stone of Mahakal Temple in Siliguri in January, saying that as soon as elections come, some people remember the lessons of Hanuman Chalisa and Durga Saptashati.
Answering the questions of reporters at a press conference at his residence in the capital Bhopal, Chauhan said that temples and religious activities are a matter of faith but some opposition parties use religion for electoral gains.
Chauhan said, ‘When all these religious institutions are attacked, these people remain silent. But as soon as the elections come, many people start applying Tripund (a type of Tilak), start reciting Hanuman Chalisa, and remember the recitation of Durga Saptashati. I think the public knows this truth.
‘Faith should be respected, not a tool of politics…’
He said that faith should be respected and not be made a ‘tool’ of politics. Assembly elections are proposed in West Bengal in March-April 2026 and the state is currently ruled by Trinamool Congress while BJP is the main opposition party.
After the spectacular victory in Bihar assembly elections, BJP has focused its entire attention on West Bengal, where there are a total of 294 assembly seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met West Bengal MPs at the Parliament House during the last session of Parliament and asked them to work hard in the state.
Mamta Banerjee had announced the foundation stone of Mahakal Temple.
Mamata Banerjee said at a program in Kolkata on Tuesday that the foundation stone of Mahakal Temple will be laid in Siliguri, North Bengal in the second week of January and the land for this has been finalized and funds have also been arranged.
Banerjee also said that she is accused of appeasement but she does not do such politics because she is secular. When asked about this, Chauhan said, ‘When elections come, we remember temples. I believe that whether it is a temple or other religious activities, these are matters of faith.
