Congress Vs BJP Over 'Kanya Pujan' Ritual Before Madhya Pradesh Bypolls
NDTV
In 2017, the child protection body NCPCR issued guidelines banning involvement of children in election campaigns or related activities
The Madhya Pradesh government last year told every department that before starting any programme, they should perform Kanya Pujan, a ritual that involves honouring girls with worship in the belief that it is auspicious. Now, before by-elections in the state, the ruling BJP led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has started Kanya Pujan in every home at bypoll constituencies.
The opposition Congress's objection to the ritual, in which some girls were made to wear turbans with the colours of the BJP's election symbol during Mr Chouhan's campaign at Raigaon Scheduled Castes constituency, has kicked up a political row in the state.
"We don't have any objection to Kanya Pujan, but object to politicisation of the ritual. By making the girls wear turbans resembling colours of the BJP symbol, the Chief Minister has politicised the Kanya Pujan. Where is the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which had written to the administration for acting against Congress leader Ajay Singh over remarks about children consuming drugs?" Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said.
In 2017, the child protection body NCPCR issued guidelines banning involvement of children in election campaigns or related activities. The commission had recently written to the Satna district collector to act against Congress leader Ajay Singh over his remarks about children consuming drugs, while defending Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case.
