CBN Removes Shoes, Jagan Washes Off Teertam

This is the era of smart cameras and smart phones. Everything is on record. Nothing goes unnoticed, even the small details like facial expressions are captured on cameras.

So, this is the story of two leaders. They follow different faiths. One is low-key about his religious beliefs and speaks about it only when he remembers being saved by Lord Venkateswara in Alipiri attack. The other is a devout Chirstian. But he follows Hindu rituals as a part of his political persona.

Well then, what’s the problem? India is a secular country and our Constitution provides the right to choose our religion. So far so good.

But like mentioned before, it’s the little gestures that make a world of difference. On Thursday, CM Chandrababu shared the dias with BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia for an event. Chandrababu set an example by taking off his shoes before presenting an idol of Lord Venkateswara to Scindia, who also removed his footwear to receive the idol. This little, thoughtful act shows the deep respect CM has for Lord Venkateswara and Hindu faith.

On the other hand, there is ex CM Jagan. On Wednesday, he participated in a puja at Nandiswara temple in Nandipalli. And the videos are all over social media. Jagan could be seen washing his hands with teertam instead of drinking it during the puja. He also didn’t bother to bend to put the ingredients into homam. He passed them to the priest who put them in the homam.

Obviously, this has become a point of discussion in Telugu states. While no one has a problem with Jagan performing pujas or not performing them, shouldn’t he follow rituals if he is part of a special homam?

Jagan can simply say he follows Christianity and there ends the matter. But Jagan wants the Hindu vote bank now more than ever. If Andhra Pradesh goes for local body elections, he wants to be labeled secular. But why play with religion? If he respects other religion, he has to do it whole-heartedly. Else, he will be caught on camera and be the subject of anger to the very vote bank he wants to please!