RSS outfit gifted by a devotee.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
The authorities of a temple in Surat, Gujarat, sparked a controversy after they donned the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) uniform.
The incident came to light when a school in Laskana village in Surat district opened on Monday where the temple is situated, reported Press Trust of India.
The photo of the idol wearing the RSS uniform has gone viral on social media. In the photo, the idol is seen wearing white shirt and khaki shorts with a black cap and black shoes. It also holds a tri-color flag in right hand.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the RSS had conducted 20 educational and physical training camps at Swaminarayan Mission school, run by Swaminarayan Gurukul Vidyalaya for its employees that lasted for a few days.
The camp concluded on Sunday and the organization gifted the outfit to the temple on the same day. Reports say that Swami Vishwaprakashji of the temple dressed up the idol with the uniform as a common practice.
“We have a common practice of presenting the God’s idol in various dresses. This RSS uniform was given to us by a devotee. We do not have any other agenda. We did not know that it will create a controversy,” Vishwaprakashji told PTI.
On Wednesday, when the photo went viral, many followers of Lord Swaminarayan staged a protest in front of the school and tried to enter the premises forcibly. They were stopped by the security personnel.
Responding to the incident, RSS Sangh Sanchalak Dr. Jayenti Bhadeshiya told Indian Express, “RSS leaders had not changed the dress but the Swamiji who is taking care of the school had changed the dress of lord Swaminarayan idol.”
The Congress leaders of the state attacked the RSS leaders and demanded criminal action against them.
“What do you want to prove by dressing up the god in khaki shorts? I pity those who have done that. Today, you have dressed the Lord in RSS uniform, tomorrow you will dress the idol in BJP’s uniform. This is very unfortunate,” Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela was quoted as saying by PTI.