Mumbai: The BJP-led government’s plan to hold a talk by Brahma Kumari Shivani, a member of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, at the Vidhan Bhavan, was vehemently opposed by Opposition members on Monday. Describing the Vidhan Bhavan as a “temple of democracy”, they said that the house should be used for formulating laws and rules for the people.
Brahma Kumari Shivani is scheduled to deliver a “motivational speech” at the central hall of Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday. However, NCP leader and former deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal objected to the move, seeking the purpose of such a speech. “If it is a religious function, you will have to allow other religions to hold similar functions as well,” he said.
All India Majlis-e-Itte-hadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Imtiaz Jaleel said that the Vidhan Bhavan was a temple of democracy and should not be used for religious speeches. “The House should be used for formulating laws and rules. The budget session of the state legislature, is already of a very short duration, so one day of it being ‘wasted’ on such a speech is unacceptable,” he said.
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi said that the move to hold such a speech in the Vidhan Bhavan premises was “unconstitutional and unacceptable”. Mr Azmi said that he had decided not to attend the event.
However, the BJP defended the move to organise the speech at Vidhan Bhavan. Senior BJP leader and finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that it was a “motivational spee-ch” and should be seen in a positive manner.
