Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Politics Heats Up as Vikramaditya Singh and Rajeev Bindal Clash Over Ram Mandir, Sanatan Dharma
The political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP in Himachal Pradesh intensified on Wednesday after Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and BJP state president Rajeev Bindal engaged in a fresh war of words over the Ram Mandir issue, Sanatan Dharma, and Himachali identity.
The political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP in Himachal Pradesh intensified on Wednesday after Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and BJP state president Rajeev Bindal engaged in a fresh war of words over the Ram Mandir issue, Sanatan Dharma, and Himachali identity.
The latest exchange comes amid an ongoing political debate surrounding the Ram Temple and has further sharpened the ideological divide between the two major parties in the state.
Responding to Rajeev Bindal’s criticism of Congress leaders’ recent visit to the Ram Temple in Shimla, Vikramaditya Singh said the BJP leader had himself acknowledged living in Himachal Pradesh for only the last 35 years. While expressing respect for Bindal as a senior political leader, the minister said no individual has the authority to decide who is a “true Sanatani.”
Earlier, Vikramaditya had accused the BJP of questioning the religious faith of Congress leaders after Bindal described their temple visit as a “political drama.” Defending his party’s position, the Congress minister stated that his family has lived in Himachal Pradesh for 122 generations and has always followed Sanatan Dharma and worshipped Lord Ram.
He also rejected claims made by BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who alleged that the Congress was anti-Hindu. Vikramaditya said every citizen has the right to visit temples without seeking political approval and reiterated the Congress demand for a fair and impartial investigation into the alleged Ram Temple fund scam.
Hitting back, Rajeev Bindal said he has been serving the people of Himachal Pradesh for the past 35 years and does not require any certificate from Vikramaditya Singh. The BJP leader accused the Congress of historically opposing the construction of the Ram Temple for appeasement politics and claimed the party’s ideological position on Hindu issues is well known.
Bindal also questioned the Congress government’s performance, citing its disappointing results in the recent urban local body and panchayat elections. He further asked why several promises made during the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections remain unfulfilled even after more than three years in office.
The latest verbal exchange has added fresh momentum to the political rivalry between the Congress and the BJP, with the Ram Mandir issue once again emerging as a major point of political debate in Himachal Pradesh. As both parties continue to target each other over ideology, governance, and public sentiment, the issue is expected to remain at the centre of the state’s political discourse in the coming weeks.
