A controversy erupted on Tuesday after a Surat-based Lord Swaminarayan temple dressed up the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the RSS uniform.
The issue came to light after a picture, in which Lord Swaminarayan can be seen in white-shirt tucked into a baggy khaki shorts with black cap and clack shoes, the picture went viral on all social media platforms. The idol is also seen holding the National Flag.
Swami Vishwaprakashji of the temple said to the media that the dress was offered by one of the devotee and there is no agenda behind it. We did not know that it would create a controversy. Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela said temple authorities must refrain from such activities.
“What do you want to prove by dressing up the god in khaki shorts? I pity those who have done that. Today, you have dressed the Lord in RSS uniform, tomorrow you will dress the idol in BJP’s uniform. This is very unfortunate,” Vaghela said.
When asked about the incident, Gujarat BJP president Vijay Rupani also said that it should not have been done. “I am really surprised! If at all it was done, I don’t approve of it,” said Rupani.
