Bengaluru, Feb 5: Stating that the religious beliefs and practices are a private matter of individuals, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today lashed out at BJP for politicising individual religious beliefs.
Speaking to reporters at an event in a private hotel on Opposition Leader R Ashok’s criticism of his plans for taking a dip at Mahakumbh, he said, “I don’t want to respond to his statement. I don’t want to get involved in discussions on my religious beliefs and practices. Our leaders made a very broad statement, but the BJP is trying to do politics in this. These are private matters.”
“No one has any right to comment on my personal religious beliefs. My religious practices and beliefs are my private matter. I personally believe in God. Some believe in palmistry; some believe in celestial matters. It is left to the individual and there is nothing wrong or right in this,” he responded.
Asked if Ashok was using his name to cover up factionalism in the BJP, he said, “I don’t know what problems they have in their party. I just don’t want to respond to his statement. Some people don’t get publicity if they don’t take my name and hence, they resort to such things. It is my personal belief that I wear Rudraksha and vermillion.”
Asked about AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement, he said, “He has made that statement in a different context, but they are trying to grind their axe in this. Let Ashok question the PM who is taking a dip in the Mahakumbh,” he said.
Second airport discussions
Asked about the second airport, he said, “The Industries and Commerce Minister are deliberating on that. Only preliminary discussions have happened and nothing is finalised with the CM or me. We will take this up for discussion after the Global Investors’ Meet.”
Asked about water tariff hike, he said, “A proposal has been submitted and it will be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting.”
