New Delhi: The Delhi BJP has launched a sharp attack on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being a "Chunavi Hindu" (who remembers Hinduism only prior to polls), a term they claim reflects his supposed selective embrace of Hinduism only during election periods.
In a post shared on social media platform X, the Delhi BJP criticized Kejriwal, alleging that his sudden interest in Hindu priests and religious leaders was nothing more than an election stunt. The BJP pointed out that Kejriwal, who had been providing salaries to Imams for the past decade, had previously expressed discomfort with the construction of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya. The party also reminded the public of Kejriwal's actions, such as opening liquor shops near temples and gurudwaras, and accused him of practicing "anti-Hindu politics."
The BJP's scathing criticism came with a poster depicting Kejriwal adorned with rudraksha beads and flower garlands, his body sprinkled with 'roli' (vermillion). The poster carried the caption: "Mandir Jana hai bas mere liye ek chalaava, pujariyon ka samman bas mera chunavi dikhava, sanatan dharma ka maine humesh mazak banaya" (Visiting temples is only a deception tactic, respecting priests is a poll gimmick, and I have always made fun of Hindu Dharma).
This poster was released a day after Kejriwal launched the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana,’ which proposes a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 for Hindu and Sikh priests. The scheme, announced just ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, has raised questions regarding its timing and underlying motives.
Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva criticized the initiative as an attempt to win over Hindu voters. He pointed out that while the AAP government had been providing salaries to various groups since 2013, it had never introduced a scheme for religious leaders like pujaris and granthis before now.
Kejriwal is also embroiled in controversy over the 'Delhi Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana,' which the Delhi Women and Child Development department recently claimed was "non-existent."
With IANS inputs