A Surat-based temple dressing up the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the khaki outfit of a RSS pracharak has caused a major storm on social media platforms with people criticising the move
Controversies seem to be around every corner in India nowadays. There is a new one every day. With social media trends suggesting the current favourite that have caught the attention of the nation. From 'Udta Punjab' to Sadhvi Prachi to Lawyers Collective, people protesting against 'injustices' and 'perceived wrongs' is at its height on social media.
The latest one to have caught the attention of people on social media was the authorities of a Surat-based temple dressing up the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the khaki uniform of a RSS pracharak.
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The issue came to light after a picture, in which Lord Swaminarayan can be seen donning the Sangh outfit -- white shirt tucked into a baggy khaki shorts with black cap and black shoes on, holding the national flag in one hand -- went viral on social media platforms.
The idol dressed up in RSS outfit kicked up a storm on social media and politicians jumping into the fray to have their say.
THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING ON FACEBOOK:
HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE HAD TO SAY ON TWITTER:
Lord Swaminarayan idol dressed in RSS uniform in Surat temple!
— Sreekanth (@skocharlakota) June 8, 2016
Seems like the savior himself need to be saved!
oh my god ! how lord swaminarayan can be dressed in RSS uniform? https://t.co/8RUyzQsnNa
— Nehal Vaidya (@Neh_v) June 8, 2016
RSS using Gujarat as lab for Socio-political,Religious experiment,this time it's Lord Swaminarayan in RSS uniform. https://t.co/QvW70HRDCd
— Ashok Tanwar (@AshokTanwar_INC) June 8, 2016
Lord Swaminarayan idol dressed in RSS uniform in Surat temple #ShameOnRSS pic.twitter.com/GA2kiFpJlD
— Jitender Singh (@jitenderkhalsa) June 8, 2016
so new dress codes and dietary specs for Gods too.https://t.co/wqQDscTyK4
— JayKay (@JayKay074) June 8, 2016
A temple in Surat give God Swaminarayan an @RSSorg worker look, sparks controversy #RSS pic.twitter.com/IVOMwYreKa
— Vishal Patadiya (@VishalMIRROR) June 8, 2016
I request all respectd people please don't play your politics with God #SURAT SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE pic.twitter.com/Kot2p8XmZI
— Aniruddhsinh Vaghela (@aniruddhsin) June 7, 2016
Rss. Dress Gansham maharaj. Surat temple. ðu00c2u009fu00c2u0091u00c2u008f pic.twitter.com/u6yT1dy1xl
— Janaksuthar (@janaksthar) June 7, 2016
As usual there were some who supported the move:
Lord Swaminarayan cant
— Raman (@being_delhite) June 8, 2016
be dressed up in RSS Uniform
But No Outrage whn
Lord Krishna as Santa Claus
Why Intolerant? pic.twitter.com/r0Xz9WKrcI
Seeking to play down the controversy, Swami Vishwaprakashji of the temple, which is situated in Laskana area of Surat, said the dress was gifted by a local devotee a couple of days back and it was the normal practice of showing
the idol in different dresses.
"We have a common practice of presenting the idol in various dresses. This RSS uniform was given to us by a devotee. We do not have any other agenda. We did not know that it will create a controversy," Vishwaprakashji said.
Notwithstanding denials by the temple authorities of having any intention of endorsing the views of the right-wing organisation, Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela said they must refrain from such activities.
"What do you want to prove by dressing up the God in khaki shorts? I pity those who have done that. Today, you have dressed the Lord in RSS uniform, tomorrow you will dress the idol in BJP's uniform. This is very unfortunate," Vaghela said.
Gujarat BJP chief Vijay Rupani also said that it should not have been done. "I am really surprised. I don't approve such action," he said.
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