New Delhi: Renowned musician Vishal Dadlani, who is a known supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), opined that in a secular country, religion must not take any part in governance. He was pronouncing a veiled criticism of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's controversial statement to add Hindu deities' pictures on currency notes, NDTV reported.
Dadlani tweeted, "The Constitution of India states that we are the Secular Socialist Republic. Hence, religion must have NO PLACE in governance. To be completely clear, I have nothing to do with anyone who brings any part of any religion to any aspect of government. Jai Hind."
NDTV reports that though the musician did not take any names, it is evident from the fact the tweet appeared hours after Kejriwal's statement. The Delhi Chief Minister had said in a video address that printing pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh on currency notes would improve India's economic situation. India has to make a lot of effort to improve its economy, and the blessing of gods and goddesses helps it. The entire country will be blessed if there is a photo of the deities on one side and Gandhiji's on the other.
He further said that Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity, while Ganesh removes difficulties. Need not to change every note, but the fresh ones not issued every month must have the pictures, he added.
Pointing out that Indonesia, a Muslim country, has a picture of Lord Ganesh on its currency notes, he said that India could also do the same.
Kejriwal and his party have made big wins in recent years. AAP returned to power in Delhi in 2020 and took the power of Punjab from Congress in 2022. There are Assembly polls coming to Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, while civic polls are in Delhi. His latest comments, visit to Ayodhya etc., suggest that he is creating inroads into the BJP-dominated Hindu community vote bank.