(MENAFN- NewsBytes) FormerMadhya PradeshChief MinisterDigvijaya Singhis not new to controversies. Landing in headlines because of his words is something the seniorCongressleader aces in.
Keeping up with his tradition, Singh on Tuesday sparked another row when he claimed "people wearing saffron clothes commit rapes inside temples".
Naturally, he invited the ire of "saffron party" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Here's what happened.
What he said
Those who defamed 'sanatan dharma' won't be forgiven: Singh
Singh was speaking at Sant Samagam, a conference organized by the Madhya Pradesh Adhyatmik Vibhag (Spiritual Department) in Bhopal, when he made the stunning remarks.
He said those who have been defaming the sanatan dharma will not be spared.
"People wearing saffron robes are committing rapes inside temples and selling churan," Singh said in the presence of Chief MinisterKamal Nath .
Rapes are happening inside temples, claimed Singh
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Slogan
Why don't we say 'Jai Siya Ram', asked Singh
Further, Singh claimed the slogan "Jai Shri Ram" has been hijacked by people having political interests.
"The slogan should, in fact, be Jai Siya Ram. When we raise the slogan in the name of Lord Ram, why do we forget Sita?" he asked, and soon the saints approved this by raising the Jai Siya Ram slogan.
Saints from across the state attended the event.
Saints should get old-age pension, demanded Computer Baba
At the function, Computer Baba, speaking on the behalf of other saints, reportedly said government land on which temples are constructed should be transferred to those who take care of the holy sites. He also demanded free electricity and old-age pension for saints.
Aftermath
Singh again dared to insult saffron, said BJP leader
No sooner had Singh made the controversial statements, that he was slammed byBJP .
The party's Madhya Pradesh spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said Congress and Singh have again dared to insult saffron.
He added Singh, who lost Lok Sabha elections to saffron-robe wearing Pragya Thakur, "was playing on the agenda of missionaries". He also asked Nath to clarify his party colleague's remarks.
Agrawal asked if Singh will apply same theory on clerics
"If someone is a criminal or accused of a crime, then the entire saffron band does not become suspicious. Will now the same idea be expressed about the costumes of clerics and priests?" asked Agrawal.
Looking back
Not long ago, Singh claimed BJP took money from ISI
Now, Singh's despise for the saffron-clad is not unknown. A few weeks ago, he found himself at the center of another controversy when he claimed BJP was "taking money" from Pakistan's ISI.
Slamming him, former MP CMShivraj Singh Chouhansaid, "The Sangh Parivar and BJP do not need a certificate of patriotism from anyone. The country and the world knows it."
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