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No decision yet on declaring government holiday on 22 January: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Reacting to BJP's demand for a holiday on 22 January, Siddaramaiah said that he has not yet seen the request letter.

Published Jan 20, 2024 | 4:52 PM ⚊UpdatedJan 20, 2024 | 4:52 PM

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Belagavi woman assault Nadda

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (Supplied)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, 20 January, said no decision has been taken on declaring a government holiday on 22 January when the consecration of Ram Temple will be performed in Ayodhya.

Reacting to BJP’s demand for a holiday on 22 January, Siddaramaiah said that he has not yet seen the request letter. “No, not yet. We will see. I have not yet seen the letter. We will see it,” Siddaramaiah told reporters when he was informed that the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Pujari had written a letter to him in this regard.

The Chief Minister was also informed that BJP state president BY Vijayendra had put forth a similar demand.

When asked whether he would go to Ayodhya for the Ram Temple consecration, Siddaramaiah retaliatied, “Why are you repeating this question when I have already said that I will go there some other day?”

The Chief Minister had earlier said that he would visit Ayodhya but not on 22 January. He had even accused the BJP of politicising the Ram Temple issue for electoral gain.

Also Read: BJP turned Ram temple consecration into political event: Rahul Gandhi

Opposition’s demand

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Saturday, Vijayendra said the Karnataka government should consider declaring a holiday on 22 January in view of Lord Rama’s connection with the state as Kishkindha Kshetra is in Hampi in Vijayanagara district. According to the epic Ramayana, Kishkindha Kshetra was the Monkey Kingdom.

The Anjanadri Hill in neighbouring Koppal district was the birthplace of Hanuman, the ardent devotee of Lord Rama.

“The consecration of the temple is a historic occasion not just for India but across the globe as many countries are jubilant about it,” the Shikaripura MLA said.

Vijayendra also asked the state government to be on alert to thwart any attempt to create disturbance and untoward incidents to disrupt festivities.

ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ ಜಯರಾಮ
ಜಯ ಜಯ ರಾಮ 🛕

ಪಕ್ಷದ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಲಯ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥ ಭವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಜನವರಿ 22 ರಂದು ಅಯೋಧ್ಯೆಯ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮ ಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನೆರವೇರಲಿದ್ದು ನಾಡಿನ ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ರಾಮಭಕ್ತರು ಸಂಭ್ರಮಿಸಿ ಭಕ್ತಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಆ ಪವಿತ್ರ ದಿನ… pic.twitter.com/UneWuvydeO

— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (Modi Ka Parivar) (@BYVijayendra) January 20, 2024

Also Read: Karnataka private schools’ association ‘advises’ livestreaming of consecration

(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)