While his party men have come out in his support, the ruling Mahagathbandhan has termed his statement inflammatory.
Union minister Giriraj Singh has raked up a political storm in Bihar following his controversial statement that "Durga idol immersion was done forcibly on Tuesday by threatening the Puja Samiti functionaries" to avoid its clash with the "Tajiyas" taken out during Muharram.
While his party men have come out in his support, the ruling Mahagathbandhan has termed his statement inflammatory.
It may be mentioned that with Maha Navami, Vijayadashmi and Muharram falling on October 10, 11 and 12 respectively; the administration had issued directives to all Puja Samitis that idol immersion should be performed before Muharram. Singh has protested this move saying Goddess Durga is worshipped as a daughter during Navaratri and her 'vidai' is special.
"Bihar mein devi pratima ka visarjan dande ki zor pe karwaya gaya hai..Puja Samiti ke adhyaksho ko bhay dikhakar, police se torture karakar (The idol immersions have been forcibly done… by threatening and torturing the organisers)," Singh told media persons.
According to sources, the minister said that immersion is not done on a Tuesday as per the traditions and "it is as if we are in Pakistan not Bihar," the minister was quoted by a source.
Countering Singh's statement, former state minister and JD (U) leader Shyam Rajak said Singh is harbouring bad feelings against his own state and questioned his presence in the Narendra Modi cabinet. Rajak also defended CM Nitish Kumar saying the chief minister has no role in idol immersion and the statement was uncalled for. Ally Congress also stepped in and its state functionaries said such statements are inflammatory and should be avoided.
In Singh's support was BJP MLA Nitin Navin, who said the CM was only concerned for his vote bank whereas the junior union minister had given voice to the public opinion. "Had Vijayadashmi and Muharram coincided, would the administration have stopped idol immersion processions to let Tajiyas pass first? This is an attack on Hindu culture and the government does not have any concern for the majority people of the state," Navin said.
It may be recalled that Giriraj Singh has remained in the eye of the storm for making controversial statements earlier as well.
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