BJP leader R Ashoka refuses vermillion on forehead; Cong calls it proof of BJP's religious hypocrisy
Bengaluru: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R Ashok's recent decision to refuse the application of vermillion (kumkum) on his forehead during a visit to Kalaburagi has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from rival political parties after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
Ashok visited the BJP office in Sulepet, Chincholi taluk, Kalaburagi district, on Sunday, where a senior member attempted to apply vermillion on his forehead. However, Ashok stopped the member and declined the gesture with a clear "No." The video clip capturing Ashok's refusal quickly circulated on social media platforms, garnering attention and criticism.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly's refusal to wear vermillion has prompted accusations of religious hypocrisy against the BJP, particularly from the Karnataka unit of the Congress. Taking to their official social media account, the Congress shared the video clip, questioning whether Ashok harbored an aversion or allergy to vermillion. The party accused the BJP of engaging in religious theatrics while practicing hypocrisy.
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The Congress further claimed that saffron shawls and vermillion are tools utilized by the BJP to mislead the youth of the nation, suggesting that the BJP's leaders prefer makeup over traditional religious practices.
"Bommai wiped away with full force the vermillion applied while Ashok totally rejected it. Do your (BJP) leaders prefer make-up, instead of vermillion?" the party has mockingly asked BJP Karnataka unit.
,@RAshokaBJP ಅವರಿಗೆ
— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) March 25, 2024
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ಕುಂಕುಮ ಹಚ್ಚಲು ಬಂದರೆ ಹೌಹಾರಿ ನಿರಾಕರಿಸುವ ಅಶೋಕ್ ಅವರ ಮೂಲಕ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರ ಬೂಟಾಟಿಕೆಯ ಹುಸಿ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕತೆ ನಾಟಕ ಬಯಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ಕೇಸರಿ ಶಾಲು, ಕುಂಕುಮ ಮುಂತಾದವುಗಳು ಬಿಜೆಪಿಗರ ಯುವ ಸಮುದಾಯವನ್ನು ದಿಕ್ಕು ತಪ್ಪಿಸುವ ಟೂಲ್ ಕಿಟ್ ಹೊರತು ಬಿಜೆಪಿಗರ ಅಸಲಿ ಆಚರಣೆಯಲ್ಲ.… pic.twitter.com/5ar2CQEq5a
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Karnataka: Show-cause notice issued after worms found in midday meal served to students in school
Koppal (Karnataka) (PTI): Authorities on Monday said a show-cause notice had been issued to the headmaster of a government-aided school after worms were allegedly found in the rice served to students under the midday meal scheme.
The incident was reported at a school in Bisaralli village, Koppal taluk, on December 9, officials said.
However, no student complained of any infection or required hospitalisation due to the timely intervention of the authorities.
A senior official from the education department stated that as soon as the matter came to light, a show-cause notice was issued to the headmaster, and a report was requested from him regarding the incident.
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"We have taken this issue very seriously and are expecting the report from the headmaster within two days. Once we receive the report, further action will be decided accordingly," the official said.
To prevent such incidents in the future, the official added, a food health officer has been instructed to collect samples of food grains supplied to both government and aided schools across the district for quality checks.
"We are also conducting meetings with headmasters of various schools, instructing them to carry out regular inspections of food grains and raising awareness to ensure the supply of high-quality food grains to avoid such incidents in the future," the official added.
