Daijiworld Media Network - Ramanagara
Ramanagara, Jan 13: The 114-ft tall statue of Jesus Christ to be constructed in Kapalibetta in Kanakapura, which is Congress strongman DK Shivakumar’s constituency, has not gone well with right wing outfits.
The Hindu Jagrana Vedike gave a call for ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ a massive protest rally held on Monday, January 13.
Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat stated that Hindus have only one nation which is India and statue of Jesus Christ is not wanted. “Why can’t we erect the statue of Pejawar Swami or Basaveshwara Swami or Balagangadhara Swami, or someone else who has worked for this nation?” he questioned.
Bhat criticized Shivakumar for stating that right-wing is disrupting peace. “It’s you who is testing our patience in the name of peace. We oppose this statue and are aware the motive behind this is to only appease Sonia Gandhi,” Bhat lashed out.
“You are cheating innocents and extorting money from them to construct this statue. Conversion takes place again through cheating and DK Shivakumar is supporting the same. Are only votes and notes important for you? Are you doing this for the sake of saving your seat?” he questioned.
“They say Hindus have 33 crore Gods. We don’t have problem with Jesus being one more God. However, we have problem with conversions that are taking place in his name. Many question us where are your 33 crore Gods. For them we reply, we are confident that at-least one of 33 crore Gods will come to our rescue during the time of need,” Bhat said.
“This country is not Christian country but Krishna’s country. Those who convert into Christianity eventually change. They are trying to give back India to the British,” he said.
Bhat also came down heavily on Late Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, who had served as Andhra Pradesh CM. “He was a converted Christian. He built 1,000 houses for Christians in Tirupati and also gave them jobs. This is what one converted CM can do. Finally all know how he met his end,” Bhat said referring to the helicopter accident. He also told Shivakumar to be careful as he commutes on helicopter.
The protesters alleged that the land on which the 114-foot statue was proposed to be built in Harobele village of Ramanagara was not a barren one as claimed by DK Shivakumar.
Reacting to the issue, DK Shivakumar on Monday said that the decision to construct a 114-ft tall Jesus Christ statue in his constituency was not his but that of the villagers.
"I have to help as I am their MLA. The land was allotted for the purpose and everything is legal. I have been their legislator for the past 30 years, I have to support them" Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister R Ashoka had earlier stated that the land allotted was gomal (grazing) land and that the state government is reviewing the land allotted for the statue.
The Ramanagara district administration has also issued notices to the Harobele Kapalabetta Development Trust, which was going to construct the statue.