Pawar mocks Rajnath for using 'nimbu mirchi' in Rafale Shastra Puja

A day after the Congress party criticised the Shastra puja done Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while procurement of Rafale jets, the NCP has also entered the controversy. On Thursday, the NCP chief Sharad Pawar mocked the 'Shashtra Puja' of Rafale aircraft performed by the Defence Minister using lemon and chili. In a shocking remark, Pawar drew a parallel between the union minister and those buying new truck. He said that they too who hang lemon and chili on their new trucks, believing it protects vehicles from evil eye. "I have no doubts about the decision taken for national security. But I have read, I don't know if it is true, but what can one say when lemon-chili is hung on Rafale aircraft with the idea of protecting it from curse just like it's hung on a newly-purchased truck," said Sharad Pawar while addressing a press conference on Thursday.

READ: Cong communalises Shastra 'Puja' for Rafale, asks 'why only 'puja'?'

Owaisi slammed Rajnath Singh 

Slamming the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's puja ceremony during the handing over of India's first Rafale jet, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has questioned why two 'nimbus' (lemons) were placed beneath the aircraft wheels, while addressing a rally in Parabhani, Maharashtra. As part of the Shastra Puja, when Rajnath Singh placed two lemons, Owaisi has pointed out those were Paris' lemons, not Indian. He questioned that if the government followed such religious rituals abroad, how could they implement uniform civil code in India. He rebuked the necessity of such a ritual in an aircraft handover.

READ: Self goal? Congress cites Bofors in Rafale criticism, gets roasted

"Our country has purchased the new Rafale aircraft from France, which is a good thing. It is needed as our Airforce's MiG, Sukhoi jets are getting old. But while receiving the Rafale aircraft, the Defence Minister kept two 'nimbus' in front of the wheels of the aircraft. Those were not Indian nimbus; they were Paris' nimbus. In a majorly Christian nation, you are placing nimbus beneath an aircraft's wheels. How will you implement the Uniform Civil Code?" he said.

READ: 1984 picture of Sea Harrier's Shastra Puja busts Congress over Rafale

Rajnath Singh's Shastra Puja

Meanwhile, in France, after being handed over IAF's first Rafale jet, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, performed a Shastra puja at the Merignac airbase in France. Visuals showed the Defence Minister marking the aircraft with the auspicious symbol - 'Om' with vermillion. Visuals also showed a coconut is placed on the wing of the aircraft and holy turmeric threads tied around the wing of the aircraft. He also placed two 'nimbus' beneath the wheels of the aircraft. This puja was performed on the occasion of Dussehra, marking the end of the Navaratri festival.

READ: Owaisi mocks 'nimbu placed before Rafale'; says they're 'from Paris'