Hitting back at the BJP for its criticism after some party workers portrayed Rahul Gandhi as Lord Parshuram on his birthday, the Congress on Friday asked whether the ruling party has a patent on Lord Parshuram and said "followers of Nathuram" should first answer for the "theft" of donations meant for the Ram temple.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations regarding donations and financial management of the Ram temple trust in Ayodhya.
The Congress' remarks came after Youth Congress workers in Varanasi celebrated Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi's 56th birthday with symbolic rituals, including pouring milk over his photograph in the Ganga river. In the image used during the celebration, Gandhi was depicted as Lord Parshuram, holding an axe in one hand and a copy of the Constitution in the other.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that "insulting Hindu faith is the only identity of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress".
Asked about the BJP's criticism, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar said, "Today, some people are projecting Rahul ji as Ambedkar ji, some as Birsa Munda and others as Parashuram ji. If it were up to me, I would say let Rahul Gandhi remain Rahul Gandhi, because he has his own distinct identity, capabilities and a collective struggle."
"But who are the BJP to raise questions? Does the BJP have a patent on Lord Parashuram or Lord Ram," he asked.
Taking a dig at the ruling party, Kumar said, "Let the BJP people display Nathuram's photograph; they have no patent on Lord Ram. It was the followers of Nathuram who stole donations meant for Lord Shri Ram (temple). They should answer for that first, instead of talking about irrelevant matters."
Taking another jibe at the BJP, the Congress leader said, "Tomorrow, the BJP might even ban naming children after gods. They might file a case against my parents asking why I was named Kanhaiya.
"Look, there is a difference between being a Hindu and being a 'Sanghi'. Those who are 'Sanghis' are in the BJP."