Mallikarjun Kharge Terms ‘Rafale Shastra Puja’ As Tamasha, Amit Shah Hits back

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday termed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s 'Shastra Puja' of Rafale fighter jet as drama. Home Minister Amit Shah was quick to hit back at Congress party and Mallikarjun Kharge over his comment.

author-image
Anurag Singh
Updated On
New Update
Mallikarjun Kharge Terms ‘Rafale Shastra Puja’ As Tamasha, Amit Shah Hits back

Mallikarjun Kharge terms ‘Rafale Shastra Puja’ as Tamasha, Amit Shah hits back ( Photo Credit : PTI )

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday termed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s 'Shastra Puja' of Rafale fighter jet as drama. Home Minister Amit Shah was quick to hit back at Congress party and Mallikarjun Kharge over his comment. 

It is to be noted that Rajnath Singh on Tuesday officially received the first Indian Rafale jet from France. This is one from a series of 36 such aircraft purchased for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from France. Before taking off for a sortie in the first sophisticated and state of the art fighter jet, the Defence Minister performed 'Shastra Puja', a ritual involving the worship of weapons, on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami. 

In an interview with the news agency ANI, Mallikarjun Kharge took a dig at central government and said, “There is no need to do such 'tamasha' (drama). When we bought weapons-like the Bofors gun previously purchased, no one went and brought them while showing off.” “Our Air Force officers judge whether they are good or not. These people go, show off, sit inside the aircraft,” he added. 

Hitting back at Congress party and Mallikarjun Kharge, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the grand-old-party did not like Rajnath Singh performing 'Shashtra Pujan' of Rafale fighter jet in France. Addressing a public rally in Haryana’s Kaithal, the home minister said, “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed 'Shashtra Pujan' of Rafale yesterday in France. Congress did not like it.” 

“Performing 'Shashtra Pujan' is an Indian tradition. So why Congress has a problem with that,” asked Shah. “Is 'Shashtra Pujan' not performed on Vijayadashami? They should ponder over what needs to be criticised and what not,” Amit Shah concluded.  

RELATED

Amit Shah Shastra Puja Rafale Jet Mallikarjun Kharge