Congress Divided in Karnataka Amid Call for Special Rituals at Muzrai Temples in State on Jan 22

Bengaluru: Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy has instructed all Muzrai temples in the state to offer special pujas on January 22, the day the prana pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of the idol of Lord Ram will be installed at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The Muzrai department will issue a separate circular in this regard, asking people to perform special pujas in temples in the state on Monday, January 22, during the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. 

The circular will state the steps to be followed for this purpose and from where the funds should be utilised. Speaking to Republic, Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “I have asked all Muzrai temples in the state to perform special pujas while installing Lord Ram at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Special pujas will not only be performed in temples of Lord Ram but all the temples across the state. I have instructed the departmental officials to issue a separate order in this regard.”

According to the instructions of the minister the special rituals will begin at 12:29:8 to 12:30:32 in all the temples across the state simultaneously where the "Mahamangalarathi" (special arathi) in Muzrai temples will be conducted.

Meanwhile there are several ministers in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet who have openly expressed their views that the consecration at Ram temple is a holy occasion. The ministers include G Parameshwara and DyCM DK Shivakumar who speaking to Republic said, “I have not been invited to the event nor has the Chief Minister been invited. Irrespective of that I'm a Hindu at heart and a worshiper of Lord Ram and Hanuman. The decision is ultimately left to the high command whether to attend or not.”

On the other hand, some of the ministers in Siddaramaiah's Cabinet BK Hariprasad had called the consecration ceremony "a publicity stunt" and even stoked controversy by stating that "there may be a Godhra-like situation", clearly showing that the Congress unit in the state is divided over the issue.

Opposition welcomes Muzrai minister's order

The BJP has lauded Muzrai minister Ramalinga Reddy for his move to have special rituals across the temples in the state. BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy speaking to Republic said, “We appreciate the move by minister Ramalinga Reddy to do so and the entire Congress party should learn from this that this event is beyond any political party and reflects the sentiments of the people."