New Delhi, March 1: With the Lok Sabha elections dates are to be announced, and the nation is debating on issue ranging from defence to faith and lynching to social welfare scheme, Congress parliamentarian from Thiruvananthapuram – Shashi Tharoor – opened up and took on the ruling dispensation for politicising the Sabarimala issue and mixing Hindutva with Hinduism. However, he was countered by BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, questioning Congress’s ‘double stand’ on Sabarimala.

Expressing his views at the India Today Conclave 2019 in New Delhi, while sharing the stage with BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Tharoor alleged that the issue of faith under the Centrally-ruled government had been politicised in the last five years and the simplest example that can be cited is Sabarimala. PM Narendra Modi Mocks Rahul Gandhi on Last Day of Parliament For Teaching Him Difference Between ‘Gale Lagna’ & ‘Gale Padna’.

Tharoor opined that instead of making a ruckus and inciting people not to allow women to enter the temple of Lord Ayyappa in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, a solution should have been sought as per provisions of the Constitution. Considerably, even after the Supreme Court’s order, women of menstruating age – 11 to 50 years – were restricted to enter the premise.

Contradicting Tharoor, Sahasrabuddhe alleged that Congress has a tendency to shed crocodile tears and maintains a double standard. He even stated that the contents of Tharoor's book – Why I am a Hindu – is superb, but unfortunately is far from facts.

Another point of debate in the session was the consumption of ‘beef’ and ‘who is a better Hindu’? Expressing that eating or imposing a ban on ‘beef’ is an issue related with state to state, Tharoor said state's cultural rights must be respected. While, Sahasrabuddhe contradicted him by stating that Congress’s support for the issue constitutional-wise sounds like crocodile tears. Sonia Gandhi Likely to Contest From Raebareli Again in Lok Sabha Election 2019, How Much Congress Can Benefit?

Though rounds of arguments and counter-arguments went on, one thing was absolutely clear that Congress would not give the opportunity to BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the BJP won’t take Congress lightly this time atleast. However, we all will have to wait till the election rallies see the ground after dates are announced by the Election Commission.

(Views expressed by the author are personnel)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 01, 2019 04:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).