4 min readBhopalSep 20, 2023 08:11 AM IST
First published on: Sep 19, 2023 at 11:44 PM IST
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday said the subject of Sanatan Dharma was not a matter for politicians. 0″I would urge leaders not to discuss this on a political platform. This is not a matter for politicians. This is entirely a matter for saints and religious scholars…,” she said at a Ganesh Chaturthi function in Sehore district.
Remarks about Sanatan Dharma by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK has drawn severe criticism from the BJP and has triggered a debate surrounding the subject.
Bharti criticised the DMK, and also said, “I would request all parties to talk about food, clothing and shelter. Leave the discussion on Sanatan Dharma to scholars.”
Speaking on the women’s reservation Bill, Bharti said it was important for women to get into the state Assembly and Lok Sabha.
“Women vote for the BJP. They have faith in [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi ji. In Madhya Pradesh also, work has been done for women, so women will give their vote [to the BJP]. But should we do all the work just for votes only?” she asked.
On women from backward communities, she said, “Is it not our responsibility to take care of them? What will happen by giving them Rs 1,000-2,000? They should be given positions in the Assembly and Lok Sabha.”
The Ladli Behna scheme of the state government, under which women are given Rs 1,250 per month, has been a major plank of the BJP’s campaign for the coming Assembly election.
Bharti asked Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to reserve 50 per cent seats in the Assembly elections.
“Of this 50 per cent, take half of it and give a provision for SC, ST, OBC women and decide the Vidhan Sabha seats. First show your party’s character. It is not important that the reservation should be implemented immediately…Those Muslim women who have been selected under the Mandal commission, those who come from extremely poor backgrounds, those women can also be given a position in that,” Bharti said.
Bharti said her stand was not against the party. “I will campaign for my party in the state. The party has democracy and I have a right to express my views. If what I say is said to be against the party, then we won’t be able to speak on social issues. There should be freedom to speak on social issues.”
The Congress has urged Bharti to “stick to her stand”.
“Uma Bharti is a senior leader, we respect her a lot. Her firebrand image will remain intact if she sticks to her stand. She should not change her commitment. It has become her identity to change her opinions. She has given statements against Shivraj and then calls him her younger brother later,” Congress spokesperson K K Mishra said.
The BJP has said that Bharti’s comments were twisted by the Congress and that her remarks asking politicians to refrain from commenting on Sanatan Dharma were meant for the Opposition INDIA bloc, and not the BJP.
BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja said, “Uma Bharti’s statement is being twisted by the Congress. She is talking to those who called for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma. Her statements on reservation are welcome and will seriously discuss it.”
Earlier this month, she had reacted to not being invited for the BJP’s Jan Ashirwad yatra by saying that her presence might be making party leaders nervous.
Speaking on the women’s reservation Bill, Uma Bharti said it was important for women to get into the state Assembly and Lok Sabha. (Express File Photo) 
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