News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
Aug 03, 2024, 02:09 PM | Updated 02:09 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
A SDPI activist seeking removal of 'religious' stickers of Lord Hanuman from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses has created a massive outrage on social media.
"Hey @KSRTC_Journeys I Noticed This Bus In Chikmaglur Bus Stand , In back side of the bus,there is a religious photo. Is it ok to put any religious photos on government buses? Please take action on the driver and conducter, (sic)" Arif Arwah, who according to his X bio is the general secretary of SDPI from Chimagalur assembly in Karnataka, posted on 31 July.
The X post had a picture of the backside of the bus with a sticker of Lord Hanuman on its rear glass-shield.
Hey @KSRTC_Journeys I Noticed This Bus In Chikmaglur Bus Stand , In back side of the bus,there is a religious photo.
— à²à²°à²¿à²«à³ ಠರà³à²µà²¾ (@Arifarwahsdpi) July 31, 2024
Is it ok to put any religious photos on government buses?
Please take action on the driver and conducter @CMofKarnataka @DgpKarnataka @DKShivakumar pic.twitter.com/oYTSCNlnnc
The post was criticised by many social media users.
"If Hanuman picture is not used in India where will it be used? Even our Constitution contains pictures of Rama and Hanuman," said one X user.
Another X user pointed out that Karnataka is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.
"Anjaneya took birth in Karnataka. If you have a problem ? That means you hate the indigenous cultures or God of this land," the user wrote.
Pointing out an "issue" with the image, another X user said, Yes, I only see one issue here. The pic of Hanuman ji should be very big and also @ksrtc should add Bhagwan Shri Ram ji pic there too. In addition to this, near the Steering Wheel, Durga Mata idol should be placed".
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.