As the Lok Sabha elections 2019 is drawing near, the “temple politics” has started gaining momentum as undoubtedly religion still plays a major role in the politics of the country and evoking emotions of masses is quite easy.
After UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya last week raked the Ram temple issue, on Wednesday, former CM of the state and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has come up with a temple of his own.
Maurya on Sunday said he was hopeful that if the need arose and there was no other way out, the Centre (PM Modi government) could opt for the legislative route in Parliament for the construction of a Ram temple in the city of Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh. However, he clarified that the step will only be taken when the ruling party will have adequate numbers in both Houses (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
“At present, in Parliament, we do not have adequate strength. Because even if we bring the matter in Lok Sabha, our strength in the Rajya Sabha is less, and it will definitely be defeated. Every devotee of Lord Ram knows this. The court will soon give its judgement.
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“The day we have the strength, it will be constructively used and not misused (Lekin jis din hamare paas takat hoge, uss takat ka sadpuyoghoga, durpayognahihoga),” Maurya told news agency PTI.
However, within days, junior Yadav made his move and taking “inspiration” from Mr. Maurya announced that a splendid city named after Lord Vishnu will be developed in the state (Uttar Pradesh) if his party comes to power and added, the city will have a huge temple inspired by Cambodia’s artistic Angkor Wat–the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 401 acres.
Image: Angkor Wat-Courtesy Wikipedia
As per his plan (which obviously depends on the result of LS polls 2019), he will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu on over 2,000 acres of land near Etawah and it will have a grand Vishnu temple which will be a copy of famous Angkor Wat temple!
Two parties have already played their temple cards! I’m wondering which political party now will join the table?
For now, Lord Vishu and Lord Ram are “locked” by these two parties. In case, other political parties are coming up with their own plans for building temples, I suppose they have to choose different Gods.
On a serious note, there is nothing wrong in building religious institutions. But what I personally believe is that our government and those who want to come to power should be planning to build more hospitals, education institution and orphan homes.
By the way, if Mr. Akhilesh Yadav is so serious about building a temple then why he is attaching a rider to it? He can start building
Vishnu temple right now. And I promise I will be the first one to visit it for sure.
Playing politics in the name of God is something which we humans should avoid. After all, one day we all have to meet him!
About the author: Author is Deputy Editor in India TV and tweets at@AnuragSason 
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and views of India TV.
Anurag Sason 