Basavalakyan MLA stokes row by climbing on Ram statue, apologises after video goes viral

BIDAR: Basavakalyan BJP MLA Sharanu Salagar stoked a controversy after climbing on a statue of Lord Ram to garland it during the Shobha Yatra on the occasion of Ramanavami.

In videos and images which went viral on social media, the MLA can be seen standing on the thigh of the Ram statue to garland it, drawing the anger of locals.

Sharanu Salagar said he did it out of devotion and also issued an apology.

On Friday, the MLA apologised to all the Ram bhakts of the country. “I too am a staunch Hindu activist and Ram bhakt. Out of love and devotion, I did climb on the statue, garlanded it and did ‘arati’. After I got down, I bowed to the statue and I have evidence for it. Everything is clear in the full video, but some vested interests are doing this. I had no ill intention, if it is wrong, I apologise for my action”, he said.