‘Villagers’ decision, not mine’: DK Shivakumar on construction of 114 ft Jesus Christ statue
BENGALURU: Former Karnataka Minister and Congress MLA from Kanakapura DK Shivakumar on Monday said that the decision to construct a 114-ft tall Jesus Christ statue in his constituency was not his but that of the villagers.
“It is not my decision but that of the Christian community of the village, being the MLA I have to help. The land was given for it, everything is legal. I have been their legislator for the past 30 years, I have to support them” Shivakumar said.
“They are simple people, we have to support them. Let hundreds of RSS and BJP leaders come and shout and go, we are least bothered,” he added.
He was responding to a question on a protest by RSS and BJP leaders in Kanakapura against the construction of the statue.
Congress MLA DK Shivakumar had laid the foundation stone for a statue of Jesus Christ in Harobele village of Ramanagara district on December 25. He also had got 10 acres of land sanctioned by the state government for it.
The title deeds and other documents have been handed over to the trust assigned with the task of construction of the statue. The statue will be 114 feet tall, including the pedestal. It will be constructed using hard granite.
Saffron rally against Jesus statue, DKS says let them do what they want
BENGALURU: Thousands of BJP, RSS and VHP workers took part in ‘Kanakapura Chalo’ — a protest rally against the proposed 114-foot Jesus Christ statue in Kapali Betta. Kanakapura assembly segment is represented by former Congress minister DK Shivakumar, who had laid the foundation for the statue on December 25.
The rally began from Ayyappa Swamy Temple and concluded with a public meeting at Channabasappa Circle in Kanakapura. Senior RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, who was leading the rally, addressed the gathering, claiming the people living in and around Kapali hill do not want the statue. “Why Jesus statue? Why cannot we erect a statue of Basavanna or Vishveshatheertha of Pejawar mutt or Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, who has contributed to the nation?’’ Bhat questioned. He blamed Shivakumar for going ahead with the plan just to please his party high command Sonia Gandhi.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former MLC Ashwath Narayan Gowda alleged that forced conversions are happening and that the brothers (Shivakumar and DK Suresh) are supporting this, which is unfortunate. “Kapali Betta was worshipped by Hindus, by erecting a Jesus Christ statue here, they are trying to break the harmony,’’ he alleged.
Reacting to the rally, Shivakumar said that BJP is in power, so let them do what they want. “I do not know who Kalladka Prabhakar is. I believe in humanity. In a democracy, there is a ruling party and an opposition. Anyone can come to Kanakapura, any leader or minister. We welcome them,” said Shivakumar. BJP leaders are alleging that this land is a gomala (grazing land) and belongs to the government, while Shivakumar is making it privatized.