Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Sunday that the state government would not declare a holiday on January 22, despite mounting pressure from BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders urging for a day off to mark the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Responding to media inquiries in Tumakuru, Siddaramaiah clarified that while the government would not declare a holiday, the Muzrai department would organize special rituals at all state-run temples during the Ram Mandir consecration event in Ayodhya. However, private school managements plan to live-stream the ceremony for students.
Siddaramaiah also mentioned that he would be inaugurating a new Ram Temple in the Mahadevapura constituency in Bengaluru on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition R Ashok wrote to Siddaramaiah, requesting the government to declare a leave day on Monday. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy shared a similar viewpoint, advocating for the announcement of a holiday.
In his letter, Ashok pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already declared a half-day leave in all Central government offices, emphasizing the significant celebrations taking place in the state. He requested the Chief Minister to declare a day off for all government offices, schools, colleges, public enterprises, and other institutions.
Over the past two days, BJP leaders have criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as ‘anti-Hindu’ for not declaring leave on January 22. In response, Congress leaders, including Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, defended the government, asserting that they did not need to learn about religion and devotion from others.
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