'Country Not For One Religion': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Slams Temple Fund
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury criticizes the government's Rs 1,000 crore temple fund, calling for an inclusive approach for all religions.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has sparked a debate over religious inclusivity after questioning the government's decision to allocate a massive budget for the renovation of temples and monasteries. Speaking on the occasion of Diwali and Kali Puja, Chowdhury raised concerns over the proposed spending of Rs 1,000 crore over the next two years under the 'Tirthakshetra Circuit' initiative in West Bengal.
Demand for Inclusive Funding
The Congress leader argued that state resources should not be reserved for a single faith but should instead be distributed among all religious communities. He questioned why the funding was specifically targeted toward temples while ignoring other places of worship.
"There are Gurdwaras and mosques, too; why is funding given only to temples? If resources are to be allocated, it must be done for everyone, for people of all religions. Our country does not belong to just one religion," Chowdhury told reporters.
He urged the government to adopt an inclusive approach and cautioned against policies that could potentially create divisions between different religious communities, calling for a spirit of unity and inclusion.
Congress Leadership Shares Diwali Wishes
While Chowdhury addressed the funding controversy, other senior leaders of the Congress party focused on messages of peace and harmony during the festive season.
Rahul Gandhi's Message of Harmony
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, extended his greetings to the nation via a post on X. He wished for the lamps of joy and prosperity to light up every home and expressed hope that the festival would bring happiness, peace, and new hopes to all of India.
Mallikarjun Kharge's Call for Justice
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his Diwali wishes, but added a layer of social commentary to his message. In a post on X, Kharge prayed for the removal of injustice, ignorance, and discrimination from society.
Kharge stated that he hoped the "light of justice, equality, and goodwill" would reach every individual and that the flame of love, brotherhood, and harmony would continue to burn brightly across the country. He extended these heartfelt wishes to all citizens, party workers, and leaders, envisioning a new dawn of happiness for every life.