Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday stripped Samajwadi Party leader Ompal Nehra of minister of state status after his remarks asking Muslims to help build temples in Ayodhya and Mathura.
Nehra had on December 23 suggested during a function that Muslims should come forward and help build temples at disputed sites in Ayodhya and Mathura.
“Where can a Ram temple be built if not at Ayodhya? Muslims should help in building a Ram temple in Ayodhya and a Krishna temple in Mathura and give up their claim on mosques there. In fact I would say that Muslims should join kar seva (volunteer) for the Ram temple.”
After his sacking, Nehra said he stands by his statement. "What I said was that Muslim brothers should do 'kar seva' in constructing temple in Ayodhya and Mathura and Hindu brothers help them in constructing mosques one or two kms aways. But it's my belief that temples should be constructed in both the places (Ayodhya and Mathura)," Nehra told reporters.
