Comedian Jaspal Bhatti's satirical rally on corruption today earned the ire of VHP which accused him of hurting religious sentiments by showing a deity as 'corruption devta', prompting him to issue an apology.
Bhatti and members of his Nonsense Club carried an idol with 'corruption devta' written on its head gear in a procession at the main city centre here and sang'hymns' in praise of the 'Lord of Corruption'.
Bhatti demanded that the idol should be installed in front of Parliament. "If the menace of corruption is not stopped the day will come when we will have to have a 'temple of corruption' in every state," he said.
Members of VHP led by its Punjab unit chief Vijay Singh Bhardwaj, who reached the venue, objected to Bhatti's comments.
Bhardwaj said that they were opposed to corruption, but by showing a deity as "corruption devta" Bhatti had hurt sentiments of Hindus.
"Why are you linking the word 'devta' with corruption.... It is attached to the sentiments of Hindus," Bhardwaj said.
However, Bhatti, clarified that his intention was not hurt sentiments and apologised with folded hands.
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