In a recent interview, Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, has expressed concern over the nation coming together in celebrating the construction of the grand Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya. He said that “too much importance is being given to religion” leading to “democracy being undermined” in India.
His comments come just weeks before the planned inauguration and consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Notably, Pitroda has a history of making remarks critical of temple-related issues.
Pitroda remarked, “When a nation is involved in Ram Temple. That bothers me. To me, religion is a personal thing. Don’t confuse it with the national agenda. The national agenda should focus on education, employment, growth, economy, inflation, health, environment, and pollution. This is not how you build a modern nation.“.
Furthermore, Pitroda made a direct critique of the Indian populace, stating, “Everyone is talking about a Hindu temple. Everyone talks about Lord Ram. This is not how you build a modern nation.”
In an interview with news agency ANI, he emphasized, “We have seen that the nations built on religion, whether it is Israel or Pakistan, are very different from the nations built on democracy, freedom, human rights, diversity, and inclusion like America. That’s what we want. Our founding fathers very clearly articulated, understood, and put it in our constitution that everybody is equal.”
Pitroda added, “I don’t care about the religion you practice. I have to respect you for who you are, not your religious beliefs. I won’t dictate what you eat or pray for; that’s your personal freedom. When the entire nation is focused on the Ram Temple and related matters, it deeply concerns me.”
Pitroda later clarified his stance on religion, saying, “I said my wife is very religious. I am not a religious person. She has a little temple at home. It’s fine. She is entitled to do that. But don’t get me involved. I am not a religious person. That doesn’t mean I don’t agree with what she does. That’s her privilege. I have said earlier that I have outsourced my religion to my mother and my wife. They are doing a great job. I don’t interfere.”
He concluded by expressing discomfort with the Prime Minister’s frequent visits to temples, saying, “Religion is something very personal. Don’t nationalize it. Don’t use it for political gains. A Prime Minister is spending time in temples all the time. It bothers me. I would rather have him go to schools, libraries and scientific institutions and not visit lots of temples. But that’s my view. People have to decide how they feel about it.”
In addition to his comments on religion, Pitroda was questioned about the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He emphasized the importance of proper handling of votes and called for trust in the election commission. He urged political parties, especially the INDI Alliance, to prioritize this issue in light of the upcoming 2024 elections, which he believes will shape India’s future. He expressed his concerns about democracy being undermined and the excessive focus on religion in the country’s political discourse.
This is not the first time Sam Pitroda has made statements critical of Hindu temples. In June 2023, he asserted that temples would not create jobs and suggested that temple-goers were aligned with the BJP and RSS, a group he believed constituted only 30 percent of the population.
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