Kerala situation alarming, Centre taking all steps to help people: BJP
New Delhi, Aug 18 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday described the situation in Kerala as alarming and said the government is taking all measures to help the flood-affected people in the state.
The party also said that it is with the people of Kerala in this hour of crisis and devastation.
"Situation in Kerala is very alarming and the reports coming from the state has made the whole nation sad," BJP leader P. Muralidhar Rao said while addressing a press conference here.
He said that while the Central government had earlier given a package of Rs 100 crore to the state, "today (Saturday) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a package of Rs 500 crore for the state".
The BJP leader said the armed forces, in tandem with the local police and other bodies involved in the rescue and relief work, have undertaken the operation on a war-footing.
Overflowing rivers and a series of landslides have caused the death of 357 persons this monsoon, with 22 deaths being reported on Saturday alone, and over three lakh people have been forced to move to some 2,000 relief camps.
"The Prime Minister has also appealed to the insurance companies in case of agriculture or crop loans or others to expedite so as to help the people in the state," he said.
Rao said the government has directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to take measures to repair the national highways in the state so that the connectivity is restored.
"BJP is with the people of Kerala in this hour of crisis and devastation," he said.
The BJP leader further said that the party workers across the country have started collecting relief materials for the flood-hit people of Kerala.
"More than 5,000 initiatives by different organisations has been taken up in Kerala, and the BJP has taken over 200 initiatives for the state."
"These initiatives will be further increased as the flood water starts receding," Rao added.
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Ramdev's ‘sharbat jihad’ remark sparks controversy, claims funds used to build mosques, madrasas
Haridwar: Yoga guru Ramdev has landed himself in a controversy by using the term “sharbat jihad” in a viral video, where he claimed that a company selling sharbat is using its earnings to build mosques and madrasas, while promoting Patanjali’s rose sharbat.
In the video, which was posted on the official Facebook page of Patanjali Products and has garnered over 37 million views, Ramdev is seen promoting Patanjali’s rose-flavored beverage. He contrasts it with an unnamed competitor’s product, saying: "If you drink that sharbat, there will be masjids and madrasas made. But, if you drink Patanjali's gulaab sharbat, then gurukuls, Acharyakulam, Patanjali University, and the Bharatiya Shiksha Board will be made.”
While he did not mention any specific brand, media reports have speculated that the comments may be directed at Hamdard’s Rooh Afza.
The caption accompanying the video took the messaging further, warning viewers about what it described as “toilet cleaners being sold as soft drinks.” Referring to this as “sharbat jihad,” Ramdev likened it to “love jihad” and “vote jihad,” and said people must protect themselves from it.
The remarks have sparked backlash on social media, with some users accusing Ramdev of communalising consumer choices. One comment read: “Looks like he’s eyeing a political role now, suddenly remembering mosques and madrasas.”
Meanwhile, many users asked Patanjali to reveal the total number of gurukuls and universities they have opened so far.
