New Delhi: Too much tolerance is also harmful, and patience should not be abused, said Champat Rai, general-secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on pop star Rihanna’s topless photograph controversy.
Earlier this week, Rihanna came under fire on social media for posting on Twitter and Facebook a topless photograph while wearing a Lord Ganesha pendant. The photo came just days after her tweet on the farmers’ protest and internet restrictions imposed near agitation sites in Delhi had stoked a major controversy in the country.
In an interaction with reporters Wednesday, Rai said, “Too much tolerance is also a bad thing. If someone crosses their limit then it will create problems for everyone.”
He noted that freedom of expression is for all, and those who make anti-Hindu comments should not abuse tolerance and patience.
“Those who are doing it (making anti-Hindu comments), even they would have certain ideals, and they should only explain that this is not right. If you have the freedom to say and do something then this freedom is with everyone. It should not happen that when someone else ends up using this freedom, it will hurt you. Then the same people will complain: Why do you do this? Tolerance, peace and patience must not be abused. Virtue is also considered a flaw at times,” said Rai.
Rai, who is also the vice-president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, further said that he was willing to ignore this episode but added that not everyone will be able to do so.
“You are taking a girl’s name. If someone ends up saying something, then you will say that you are commenting on the girl. Therefore, may God bless them. Just because I am generous and willing to ignore this doesn’t mean everyone else will too.”
“If we are generous then that generosity should not be misused. It is not necessary that if I am generous then my son will also be generous. Hence be careful,” he added.
The VHP leader noted: “Not everyone is similar. Those who consider themselves sensible only those people should come forward and speak on such issues. We should not say anything, because if we speak, it can create problems.”
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Fake receipts for Ram temple donations
Rai also spoke about the rising number of cases of fraudulent donation drives for the Ram Mandir through fake receipts.
“It is completely wrong to collect money in the name of Ram Mandir illegally by printing independent receipts in the name of Ram Temple institution. A few cases have come up, including in Bilaspur. However, the good part is that the administration itself is quite active,” he said.
The donation campaign for the under-construction Ram temple in Ayodhya, titled ‘Nidhi Sankalp Sangrah’ and spearheaded by the temple trust, is scheduled to run till 27 February.
According to Rai, the campaign has witnessed tremendous support and dedication from all quarters.
“We have received a lot of funds but it will be difficult to say how much has come so far. Govind Dev Giriji (treasurer of trust) has said that about Rs 1,500 crore funds have come in the banks, so I also think that much must have come so far. Ram temple will be ready in three years,” he said.
The VHP leader added that people were quite excited about the donation drive and it was getting a lot of support from poll-bound West Bengal as well. “I have been in West Bengal for three days. People have helped a lot there too.”
Rai further said the public in West Bengal had no objection to the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram‘ and it was in fact the government that was making an issue out of it.
Also read: Why Congress leaders are raising funds to build Ram Temple & why it may not help the party