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New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday criticized the Ayodhya Deepotsav celebrations, claiming that those who light lamps are the same people who create Hindu-Muslim divide and are responsible for the oppression of Dalits.
The holy city of Ayodhya celebrated this Diwali with a record-breaking Deepotsav festival that illuminated the ghats of the Saryu river and rejuvenated the political atmosphere across the region.
The city registered its name in the Guinness World Records after 26.17 lakh earthen lamps illuminated the river banks while 2,128 devotees performed aarti together, creating a grand spectacle of spiritual fervor and visual grandeur.
The Guinness World Records certificate was formally awarded, underscoring the growing prominence of Ayodhya on the global spiritual map.
Reacting to the incident, Udit Raj told IANS, “Those who light lamps are responsible for the Hindu-Muslim divide in the society. They are responsible for Dalit oppression. They only talk about hatred. No matter how many lamps they light, it does not matter. There are many other records against Dalits in India like crime, poverty and unemployment. These should also be focused on.”
He also expressed concern over the pollution levels in Delhi following Diwali celebrations, for which the Supreme Court had allowed the use of green crackers this year.
The overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR remained in the ‘very poor’ category, touching 400 on Tuesday morning, a day after Diwali celebrations, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. While the overall AQI stood at 347, levels in many areas were recorded in the ‘severe’ category.
“The government is responsible – why did pollution suddenly increase during Diwali? They tried to say that stubble burning caused it, but there were fireworks all night. If anyone questions this, they are branded anti-Hindu. In other words, if we talk about saving lives or the climate, we are considered against tradition. Now, who will speak?” Raj asked.
“The second thing is that educated and rich people spend so much on crackers. Will we consider this an educated population? Civil society also has its own responsibility. What can be more important than health?” He asked further questions.
–IANS
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