Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam on Monday condemned a viral video showing Congress leader Nana Patole being honoured on the occasion of Guru Purnima, in which two men were seen washing his feet.
Nirupam described the incident as ‘extremely shameful’.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing two men washing the feet of senior Congress leader Nana Patole during a Guru Purnima event.
The BJP has ridiculed the episode, calling it a reflection of ‘Congress culture.’ Patole, however, defended the incident, stating that the individuals seen touching his feet were young members of his ‘family.’
In the viral video, Patole is seen seated on a sofa while two men wash his feet and shower flowers on him. Fruits were also placed near his feet as part of the ceremony.
“This video of Nana Patole is extremely shameful. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, his so-called disciples are seen washing his feet with milk. Nana Patole, like Baba Ram Rahim and Baba Rampal, is sitting there scrolling through his mobile phone with an attitude that reflects arrogance. First of all, getting one’s feet washed with milk is not appropriate even for a spiritual guru, let alone a politician. On Guru Purnima, one may pay respect to a guru, but what is the meaning of washing someone’s feet with milk in this manner?” Nirupam told IANS.
He also reacted to the FIR registered against Independent MP Pappu Yadav and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Commenting on the matter, he said, “This is a very good decision. In my view, both Rahul Gandhi and Pappu Yadav are political ‘pappus’. The way they staged a protest over the alleged theft of donations and offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was nothing more than a drama.”
He further alleged that the protest was offensive to followers of Sanatan Dharma.
“According to me, that performance was an insult to the entire Sanatan Dharma. Pappu Yadav, dressed in saffron robes, portrayed a sadhu and acted as though he was stealing donation money. Rahul Gandhi, who, in my opinion, rarely visits temples and has never visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, also became part of the performance. He played the role of a devotee making a donation, which was then shown as being stolen by Pappu Yadav’s character,” Nirupam said.
–IANS
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