Taking name of Ram, BJP spreading agenda of Nathuram: Cong’s Kanhaiya Kumar

Kanhaiya Kumar criticizes BJP for using Ram's name for divisive politics, defends Congress against dynasticism accusations.

Hitting out at the BJP, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar says that by taking the name of Ram, the ruling party is spreading the communal and divisive agenda of Nathuram as a "political ploy".

In an interaction with PTI editors at the news agency's headquarters in New Delhi, he also said there was an effort to belittle the contribution of the Gandhi-Nehru family and claimed that "vyaktivaad" (individualism) was more "dangerous" than "parivarvaad" (dynasticism).

Mr. Kumar also claimed that the BJP was making an attempt to reduce the greatness of the Hindu religion, asserting that in Ram's concept there is no scope of hatred towards anyone.

Asked how the Congress and the INDIA bloc would deal with what many perceive as a wave over the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya that could benefit the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, he said, "What is the need for the Congress to deal with it? There is nothing wrong if there is a wave of Lord Ram in the country, it would have been wrong if there would have been a wave of 'Nathuram (reference to Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse)' in the country." "I think what the BJP is propagating, it had no role in it. Ram ji was in Treta Yug, the BJP was formed in 1980. The BJP is engaged in how to dupe those people who believe in Ram, so, Ram's name (naam) is taken but actions (kaam) are of Nathuram. This game benefits the BJP," the Congress leader said.

This is against the history, culture and the future of the coming generation of the country, he added.

Mr. Kumar said the concept of Ram is ingrained in the country with people and places named after him.

"You cannot reduce him to a place. In other religions, a particular place is very important but in Hindu religion all places are important and all Gods are important. Ram is as important as Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. So Hindu religion is different from other religions," he said.