On behalf of all the Hindus across the globe, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (USA) strongly condemns the insensitive statement by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for Rural Development.
It is unfortunate, irresponsible and mindless for the Minister to say that the toilets are more important than the Temples. He stated that: “The saddest thing in our country is that temples are the dirtiest of places. When we go there we have to cover our noses" .
Being a Minister of Rural Development, he should have taken up the task of building toilets in all villages, maintain certain level of sanitary conditions, and establish well laid out sewage system. If they are smelling, why the Minister cannot employ enough people to clean the toilets periodically every few hours so that they will be clean as well as free from stinking smell. His statement shows his own inefficiency, indifference and irresponsibility to this matter.
The government should be the role model for cleanliness and hygiene. By mere making a reckless statement like this shows the management style as well as the sentiments of Hindu who visit the Temples frequently. Comparing toilets with Temples in unpardonable, reprehensible and inexcusable. Since many of the Hindu Temples are under government control, why cannot the government address this issue of uncleanliness and stinking smell?
This kind of statement shows the caliber of the Minister, his understanding of the Hindu Temples, and his mental capacity to see the difference between toilets and Temples. It is disappointing to see people like Ramesh to be in that position with little brains and small thinking.
With his comments, Ramesh hurt the feeling of all Hindus and also minimized the significance of the Temples. Any body, who thinks that toilets are more important than Temples should be sacked from the government immediately.
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation strongly condemn Mr. Ramesh’s statement and demand his apology to all the Hindus across the globe for his insensitive and irresponsible statement. He should withdraw his statement forthwith.
