"Condemnable, insensitive...": BJP hits out at CPI-M MP for his remarks on Lord Shiva

New Delhi [India], November 12 : Amid a row over Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya's remarks on Lord Shiva, the Bharatiya Janata Party has hit out at the former and termed the remarks "unfortunate and insensitive".
"It's unfortunate that they keep attacking Sanatan and Hinduism. It is the INDI-Alliance that has conspired to attack Hinduism. They do not care about the country; they do not think of the culture. But if we do not comment on other religions, they, too, do not have the right to do so. Lord Shiva is worshipped by the whole country," BJP's Dushyant Kumar told ANI.
"It is condemnable and insensitive to comment on gods and goddesses", he added.
CPI-M MP Bhattacharyya, in a Facebook post on November 11, recounted an incident from his childhood and asked, "Who is keeping an account of the number of families that have been destroyed due to the belief that Mahadev (Lord Shiva) is the Guru of liquor and ganja (cannabis) consumption and will take care of the families of drunkards?"
The CPI (M) MP wrote in a Facebook post in Bengali that in his childhood he had seen a drunk postman staggering to a Shiva temple and beseeching Mahadev to take care of his family.
"Nakuleshwar Lane in Kalighat is a narrow lane near Mahakali Pathshala. If you enter Nakuleshwar Lane from Mahim Halder Street, after four or five houses, you can find a small Shiva temple. Some of us sometimes used to hang out on a cement bench in the house near the school on that street corner. One day, in the evening, I saw that the postman of the area who was in an inebriated state, staggered to the temple and sat in front of it. I ran to look and saw that he was praying. Baba, since you are the Lord of liquor and ganja, you should take care of the families of those who drink'," Bhattacharyya posted.
"I enjoyed listening to his prayer. The poor postman believes that the guru (God) of cannabis consumption is Mahadev himself and therefore, Mahadev should take the responsibility of taking care of the family of the drunks," the CPI (M) Bhattacharyya said.
The CPI-M is an ally in the newly established 'INDIA' bloc.
BJP leader Vinod Bansal took a swipe at the CPI-M leader, stating that he is proving to be a "nail in the coffin".
"The party, CPI-M, has been destroyed now. They now have only one MP, who is proving to be a nail in the coffin. It has now become a trend to comment on the Hindu gods and goddesses. This has been happening ever since the 'INDIA' bloc held a meeting in Mumbai. They think that abusing gods and goddesses will be conducive to their progress in politics. But the truth is that they won't last longer", the BJP leader told ANI.
"The Hindus are tolerant and decent and the public knows everything. It's like a planned strategy, as they are not left with any issues. They are doing what the Mughals and the Britishers attempted to do", Bansal added.
CPI-M's alliance partner, Congress, has called for action against MP Bhattacharya.
Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "Whoever speaks against any religion, an action should be taken against them. The CPI-M does not believe in any religion. But if it says something against any religion, they are hurting the sentiments of the countrymen, and hence, action should be taken against them.