AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has slammed Telangana BJP MLA G Kishan Reddy’s decision to perform a Maha Arati pooja to Bharat Mata on Republic Day. 

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Owaisi said, “BJP doesn’t believe in Indian nationalism, it believes in Hindutva nationalism. This Hindutva Nationalism is very narrow, parochial and exclusive,” he told TNM.

The pooja will be performed by the Amberpet MLA on January 26, at Necklace road in Hyderabad.

“Even on Republic Day, which is a day where we celebrate our constitution which talks about justice, fraternity, equality, liberty and secularism, these are anathema to the BJP and hence they are giving a religious colour to this day,” Owaisi remarked.

Others have also condemned the move for giving a religious colour to Bharat Mata, and making it exclusively for the Hindu religion.

As part of Republic Day celebrations, the BJP will organise several events, and one of them is the Maha Arati. 

Bahujan activist and writer Prof Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd also echoed the same. 

He said, “Republic Day is a day to celebrate our constitution which promotes secularism. Any move which deviates from secularism is not nationalism. Nationalism should be promoting secularism and socialism. People can celebrate Republic Day in their own way. But an elected member holding an office of legislative assembly shouldn’t resort to this.”

“He is being elected to serve all the people in his constituency. Giving a religious colour to the republic day is unfortunate,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to TNM, the MLA said there was nothing wrong in worshiping Bharat Mata. 

“It is patriotism. What is the problem in me worshipping Bharat Mata. I don’t see anything wrong it. Praying to Bharat Mata is patriotism. I will go ahead with the programme,” he said.