In a fiery address at Tonk-Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lambasted the Congress party, accusing it of suppressing Hindu religious practices. Citing the alleged assault on a shopkeeper for listening to the Hanuman Chalisa chant in Congress-ruled Karnataka, Modi condemned this as a ‘crime.’
Recalling the incident, Modi stated, ‘Under Congress rule in Karnataka, even listening to Hanuman Chalisa is a crime.’ He went on to claim that the Congress had enforced a halt on Ram Navami celebrations in Rajasthan during its rule.
Contrasting this with the current BJP dispensation under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Modi lauded the crackdown on mafia and criminals, resulting in a more peaceful environment.
Modi’s speech highlighted the deep divide between the BJP and Congress on issues of faith and religious freedom, as the upcoming Lok Sabha elections draw closer.
