Congress slams PM, BJP for mocking Rahul's Kailash yatra

The Congress on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "rattled" and "unnerved" as he and his party have shown their "parochial-hateful mindset" by mocking the religious journey of Rahul Gandhi to Kailash Mansarovar and noted that it is the vilest attack on Hindu faith.

The party also said it is tragic that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is insulting the "abode of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati".

Party's spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said: "Congress President Rahul Gandhi is undertaking a religious and spiritual journey to the abode of Lord Shiva, Kailash Mansarovar, starting today (Friday). All countrymen have extended their wishes to 'Shiv Bhakt' Rahulji for this holy journey to seek Lord Shiva's blessings."

"Rahulji had vowed to undertake the ardous and spiritual journey to Kailash Mansarovar after a near-fatal air accident that was averted during Karnataka elections, as is now confirmed by a DGCA report. Rahulji seeks Lord Shiva's grace for all fellow countrymen," he added.

Surjewala said: "An unnerved PM and a rattled BJP have shown their parochial-hateful mindset by mocking this sacrosanct religious journey of Rahulji to Maha Kailash. Calling this auspicious Yatra "honeymoon tourism", the BJP has made the vilest attack on Hindu faith and beliefs."

"It is indeed sad and tragic that the BJP is insulting the abode of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati by such cheap political tactics. We pray that Mahadeva shows them the path of enlightenment to cleanse their minds and souls from the vile hatred," he added.

He said: "The failed PM, who went to China without any agenda and also sat on a swing with the Chinese President... and his blind devotees have forgotten to create a distinction between politics, spirituality and pilgrimage."

As Gandhi undertook his journey to Kailash Mansarovar, he tweeted a photo of Mount Kailash.

--IANS

sid/nir