The Congress is up in arms against the BJP for propagating its ideology at the cost of the exchequer. The matter that has brought the party to boil is a set of 15 books on BJP founder member Deen Dayal Upadhyay, sent to all legislators and parliamentarians.
The set of books titled, Deen Dayal Vangmay, has been authored by Dr Mahesh Chandra Sharma, former MP and chairman of Research and Development Foundation for Integral Humanism. It is priced at Rs 6,000.
Leader of opposition in Rajasthan assembly Rameshwar Dudi on Friday called a hurried press conference and accused the BJP government at the Centre of trying to impose the ideology of Deen Dayal Upadhyal.
Questioning the role of Upadhyay in nation building Dudi said, "He was neither a freedom fighter nor did he play any role in nation building. Why is his thought being imposed."
Dudi also objected to the content of the reading material, "The content of the book is controversial and aimed at projecting Congress leaders in bad light." Dudi accused the ruling party of celebrating the birth centenary year of its leader through its infrastructure and resources. "Indira Gandhi centenary year was not celebrated in a big way by the BJP government despite the fact that she plays an important role in the nation's development," Dudi said.
Reacting sharply to Dudi's accusations, BJP leader and chairman of the state finance commission, Dr Jyoti Kiran told DNA, "Thinking elements are disappearing from political debate so it is all the more important that political practitioners invest in political thinkers like Upadhyay, who have formidable stature on propagating Integral Humanism (Ekatm Manavvaad).
"Why should the government not invest on Upadhyay literature. Culture of political tolerance is ending. We need to invest in diverse political thought," said Jyoti Kiran.
Several Congress MLAs confirmed to DNA that they have received the books. BJP legislators were not willing to confirm or comment.
Incidentally, the same set of books had been in the eye of a storm some time back when the education department of the Rajasthan government issued instructions to all schools to purchase the set for their libraries.
MLAS CONFIRM IT
- Several Congress MLAs confirmed to DNA of receiving the books.
- BJP legislators were not however willing to confirm or comment.
