"Where is the Church priest and Imam?" asks DMK MP at govt. 'bhoomi puja' event
Chennai, Jul 16: The ruling DMK's Lok Sabha MP, S Senthilkumar objected to 'Bhoomi Puja' for a road project by a Hindu priest and said that representatives of all religions should be invited to offer prayers for any such event.
The Dharmapuri Lok Sabha MP, on his arrival at the spot in his home district asked an official if he was aware a government function should not be held in such a manner involving prayers of only one particular religion.
"Sir, Do you have instructions or not that government functions should not be held like this. Are you aware or not," he asked.
Pointing to a saffron robes clad Hindu priest, the MP asked the official: "What is this? Where are the other religions?, Where is the Christian and Muslim? Invite the Church father, the Imam, invite those who do not profess any religion, the athiests, the Dravidar Kazhagam (representatives)," he said. Dravidar Kazhagam, a rationalist outfit founded by social justice icon Periyar E V Ramasamy is the parent body of the ruling DMK.
To a question from the MP, the official identified himself as a Public Works Department Executive Engineer and tendered an apology to the Parliamentarian. "This is the Dravidian model of governance. The government is for people belonging to all faiths," the MP told the official.
He also made it clear he is not against performance of puja. However, such events should involve all faiths. "Do it by inviting everyone."
Senthilkumar shared a short video of the conversation between him and the official on his twitter handle. "Trying to Keep my cool. At times they make me to lose my patience," the MP tweeted.
The MP advised officials present to 'clear' everything, apparently referring to preparations to hold Bhoomi Puja by the Hindu priest alone. The event is for a road project in Dharmapuri District.
The MP, who appeared aggressive, also said that such prayers were not performed in government events participated by Chief Minister M K Stalin. Senthilkumar also advised officials to not invite him to such events involving prayers of a particular religion. After dialogue with the officials, the MP inaugurated the project and apparently no prayers were held as originally scheduled.
ஒரு அளவுக்கு மேல் என் பொறுமையை சோதிக்கிறார்கள்.
— Dr.Senthilkumar.S (@DrSenthil_MDRD) July 16, 2022
Trying to Keep my cool.
At times they make me to lose my patience. pic.twitter.com/l1gHdhYkQa
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
