BJP hits out at Cong for promoting ‘worship’ culture

Bhopal/Indore: BJP on Wednesday hit out at the Congress government for “promoting worship culture” in the state. BJP national vice-president Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleged that ministers were seen falling at the feet of their mentors and officials are seen touching the feet of ministers.

The two incidents Chouhan referred to happened earlier this week. On Monday, minister Pradhuman Singh Tomar dropped to his knees to touch the feet of his mentor and Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia in Gwalior, chanting ‘Maharaj ki Jai’. And on Wednesday, Dewas municipal commissioner Sanjana Jain was caught in controversy for touching the feet of minister Sajjan Singh Verma at a gurdwara.

Videos of both incidents went viral, triggering sharp reactions. BJP dubbed it “shameful” and an “ugly display of sycophancy”. “Bureaucracy has its limits. One should keep in mind before showing reverence. Such an act raises doubts on the image of the officials and also questions their conscientiousness. In Congress rule, rates (for plum postings) are fixed, even then officials have to touch the feet (of ministers),” said Chouhan. “This is the new MP. Bureaucracy at the feet of the minister,” tweeted BJP state vice-president Vijesh Lunawat.

Verma brushed aside the controversy, saying: “She (Sanjana Jain) is like my younger sister. I could not meet her on Bhai-Dooj, so she came to me and touched my feet to seek my blessings,” said the minister, pointing out that the meeting took place at a Gurdwara on an official holiday. “She came to the event in her personal capacity,” he added. Jain refused to comment on the matter but told TOI: “I was not on duty since it was a government holiday. I had gone to the Gurdwara as per my personal belief.”

Pradhuman Singh Tomar told reporters that he was Scindia’s soldier and “has no qualms in showing his respect for his leader in public”. When Scindia was asked for his reaction, he said, “I didn't like it. I always stop people from doing so.”