VHP demands Verrappa Moily’s unconditional apology for “insulting” PM Modi

Mangaluru: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for former Union Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily to apologize for his recent comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11-day fast ahead of the installation of Sri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya’s Sri Ram Mandir.

Dr M. B. Puranik, the VHP’s divisional working president, insisted that Moily’s statements have hurt the sentiments of Ram Bhakts and should be corrected immediately.

Moily’s remarks

Talking to media at Chikkaballapura, Former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily had expressed doubt over the claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi observed fast for 11 days ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple.

“During a morning walk today, a doctor, who was accompanying me said it is not possible for anyone to survive for 11 days without food. If someone has survived then it is a miracle. Hence, it is doubtful that he (Modi) observed fast,” news agency PTI quoted Moily as saying.

“If he (Modi) had done Pooja in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple without observing fast then that place will become impure and will not generate (supernatural) power. He (Modi) says he has observed fast for 11 days and survived only on tender coconut. There were no signs of fatigue on his face. People and not me are questioning whether he observed fast or not,” Moily had said.

‘Apologise unconditionally’

Addressing a press conference at the VHP office on Tuesday, January 29, Dr Puranik expressed strong disapproval of Moily’s remarks. Condemning the statement, Dr Puranik said it was an insult to all Indians and accused Moily of making an anti-constitutional statement by insulting PM Modi by his caste.

Dr Puranik said that etiquette allows those on Vrat to go to the sanctum sanctorum and worship.

Terming Moily’s statement as “vote bank politics”, the VHP demanded an “immediate and unconditional apology” from Moily for his alleged “anti-Hindu” remarks.

‘Will initiate Hanuma Dhwaja Abhiyana’

Sharan Pumpwell, the VHP District Coordinator, criticized the government’s actions in removing the Hanuman flag hoisted by local Ram devotees in Keregodu village of Mandya. Sharan asserted that permission had been obtained to hoist the Hanuman flag, and its removal for “vote bank politics” was condemnable.

He warned that if the devotees were not allowed to fly the Hanuman flag promptly, a “Hanuma Dhwaja” campaign would be initiated.

Sharan called for a case of sedition to be registered against those responsible for the removal of the Hanuman flag.

The press conference was attended by VHP District President HK Purushotham and District Secretary Shivananda Mendon.

(with PTI inputs)