BJP, VHP hit out at Kumaraswamy for Nazi remark

VHP, which is involved in the Ram Temple donation drive in Karnataka, said it was “highly irresponsible” of HDK to make statements that were “factually incorrect”

After having compared the alleged labelling of homes as part of the Ram Mandir fund collection drive to the Nazi regime, for which he faced flak from BJP leaders, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy reasserted his stand on Tuesday.

On Monday, the JD(S) leader had tweeted commenting on alleged instances where organisations collecting funds for Ram Mandir construction were pasting stickers on people’s homes after donation of money. Kumaraswamy had said this was akin to the Nazi regime.

On Tuesday, Kumaraswamy reasserted his position on the issue.

“Who gave them the permission to go door-to-door and collect funds for Ram Mandir? I am not against the construction of Ram Mandir. I have received specific information that they are sticking labels to homes that have contributed funds. This is creating unnecessary panic among people,” he said.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which is involved in the donation drive in Karnataka, said it was “highly irresponsible” of Kumaraswamy to make statements that were “factually incorrect”.

“The volunteers of various organisations including VHP are reaching out to all sections of the society. They don’t even demand money... The VHP has taken serious note of baseless allegations and condemns Kumaraswamy’s statement for unwarranted remarks against a patriotic organisation like RSS,” said Basavaraj, organising secretary, VHP.

Several BJP leaders also criticised Kumaraswamy defending the fund collection campaign. BJP general secretary Ashwathnarayan questioned whether Kumaraswamy was plotting an internal strife or whether he had lost his sanity, following the former CM’s comparison of RSS and VHP with the Nazis.

“He should stop making such irresponsible statements immediately,” he said. Ashwathnarayan maintained that saffron organisations were not marking any houses during the ongoing fund collection drive for the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.