'Tax Money For Religion?' AAP vs Congress Over Hindu Outreach In Punjab
Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi has criticized the AAP-led Punjab government for using taxpayer money to fund religious programs and pilgrimages. He argues that the state should remain secular, highlighting a rare internal critique within the political landscape of Punjab.
Why it matters
The debate underscores the tension between secular governance and the increasing use of religious outreach by political parties to secure electoral support.
Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi has attacked the Bhagwant Mann government over its religious programmes. In a sharply worded Facebook post, Gandhi targeted the AAP leadership as "Kejri-Bhagwant & Co" and questioned the use of taxpayers' money for its Hindu outreach.The MP said his family works day and night and pays taxes so that the government can provide better healthcare, education, employment and infrastructure to people in the state. Gandhi specifically objected to programmes such as "Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam" and "Hamare Ram", as well as free religious pilgrimages to places including Shri Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan and Shri Hazur Sahib.Arguing that religion is a matter of an individual's personal faith, Gandhi said the state should not promote or patronise one religion over another. He also warned that such state support could divide communities and encourage communalism.
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