BENGALURU: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman vehemently lambasted the Congress party’s promise to ban Bajrang Dal, denouncing it as the “epitome of stupidity.”

Sitharaman accused the Congress of resorting to reading and chanting the Hanuman Chalisa or worshiping Bajrang Bali only during elections. “Karnataka is Hanuman ji land, this is the place of his birth. Coming here, you (Congress) are writing something in your manifesto. There is no bigger example of ‘bewakoofi’ (foolishness) than this,” she said while casting her vote in Bengaluru.

She emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently worshiped Bajrang Bali, unlike the Congress. Sitharaman regarded the Congress’ inclusion of the ban on Bajrang Dal in their manifesto as an act of stupidity. “We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but the Congress does this during the election. They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity,” the Finance Minister added.

Ban on Bajrang Dal proposed by Congress became a major emotive issue for the BJP in the last leg of campaigning. Bajrang Bali masks became common in all BJP rallies. Home Minister Amit Shah during his rallies dubbed the proposal as an insult to Lord Hanuman.

“We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but the Congress does this during the election. They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity-” Nirmala Sitharaman

The Congress party’s proposed ban on Bajrang Dal emerged as a highly charged issue during the final phase of campaigning, fueling strong emotions within the BJP. Bajrang Bali masks became a common sight at BJP rallies, symbolizing their support. Home Minister Amit Shah, during his rallies, vehemently denounced the proposal as an outright insult to Lord Hanuman.

“Hanuman was undeniably born in Anjanadri Hills and Kishkindha, leaving no room for confusion.” – Bommai in August, 2022

During the last leg of campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge invoked the name of Lord Hanuman in their speeches. Prime Minister Modi began his addresses with the rallying cry of “Bajrang Bali Ki Jai,” while Kharge coined the phrase “Jai Bajrang Bali, tod do brashtachar ki nali (uproot corruption)” as a slogan for the Congress party’s campaigns. The use of these slogans further highlighted the prominence of Bajrang Bali and Lord Hanuman in the political discourse surrounding the elections.

Last year, Bommai had started a debate around Hanuman’s birthplace saying the much loved Hindu deity was born in Karnataka. He had asserted that Anjanadri hills in Koppal district hold historical evidence as his birthplace. Despite previous claims from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, CM Bommai emphasizes the significance of Kishkindha (present-day Hampi) as evidence supporting Karnataka’s claim. He said, “Hanuman was undeniably born in Anjanadri Hills and Kishkindha, leaving no room for confusion.”

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