Twitter reacts to Modi temple: Why wasn't PM appalled earlier, ask critics

The inauguration of the Modi temple in Rajkot, Gujarat on Thursday was cancelled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed his supporters involved in the construction of the temple, saying he was “appalled”. The PM tweeted earlier today," I have seen the news about a Temple being built in my name. I was appalled. This is shocking and against India’s great traditions." [caption id=“attachment_2094417” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The Modi temple at the centre of controversy. Image courtesy Twitter[/caption] However, the Prime Minister’s tweet against the temple has sparked a new row with some on Twitter pointing out that his reaction came too late given that this temple had already been in place since 2006. Prime Minister Modi was the Gujarat Chief Minister at that time, so it is unlikely he didn’t know about the temple, said journalist Deepal Trivedi on Twitter. Other users also tweeted links to reports about temples dedicated to the PM Modi in other parts of the country such as Allahabad. Check out Deepal’s tweets below:

A BJP leader says mayb Modi Saheb didnt know there was a temple dedicated 2him in Gujarat since 06.Modi was Guj CM frm Oct 2001 to May 2015.

— Deepal.‏‎‎Trivedi (@DeepalTrevedie) February 12, 2015

Ramesh undhad who runs the Modi temple is just installing a new idol.temple had been functional since 2006. http://t.co/jhizDo6NNn

— Deepal.‏‎‎Trivedi (@DeepalTrevedie) February 12, 2015

Ramesh Undhad who runs Namo Mandir since 2006 at same place now asked2 keep quiet.He is confused why is Modi & BJP suddenly disowning him?

— Deepal.‏‎‎Trivedi (@DeepalTrevedie) February 12, 2015

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There are over 4 temples in India named after him.Why did #Modi not object at temples dedicated to him in UP or South before the #AAPSweep ?

— Deepal.‏‎‎Trivedi (@DeepalTrevedie) February 12, 2015

@timesofindia had prominently reported a Modi temple in UP. Why was CM and PM in waiting Modi not appalled then? http://t.co/rTze2KDIUX

— Deepal.‏‎‎Trivedi (@DeepalTrevedie) February 12, 2015

Users also shared a link to a January 2014 Times of India report which had pointed out the existence of another temple dedicated to Modi who was then a PM contender.

Modi not shocked or appalled at violation of India's great traditions when temple was built for him before #AAPSweep http://t.co/i6SQvPyB6Y

— #DestroyTheAadhaar #BanDigitalElections #DefeatCIA (@Stupidosaur) February 12, 2015

According to the Times of India report, the temple was started in a remote village Bhagwanpur in Kaushambi district near Allahabad and has a statue of Modi along with ‘Modi Chalisa’ in it. The temple became a Modi temple after the priest Brijendra Narayan Mishra decided that “worshipping Modi will result in a better future for the country”. In fact another  Indian Express  report pointed out that the temple was originally a 300-year-old Shiv Mandir but was renamed “Namo-Namo Mandir.” The report pointed how “villagers now recite bhajans written by Mishra eulogising Modi even as regular prayers along with aarti is offered to both Lord Shiva and the PM everyday in morning and the evening.” The aarti starts as “Jai Modi Raja, tere naam ka desh me danka baaja (Hail Modi who lords over the country),” says report. Some on Twitter blamed those who had built the temple. Author Chetan Bhagat said that the PM deserved praise for his reaction. Meanwhile others were quick to point out that Modi isn’t the only one who has temple to his name. Congress president Sonia Gandhi also has a temple dedicated to her in Telangana which was built by a loyal party worker. Check out the tweets below:

Glad PM spoke out against overenthu fans making a Modi temple. No cults. No kings. No demi gods. Only democratically elected workers.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) February 12, 2015

Hope twitter-bhakts see sense now? "@ndtv: 'Appalled': @narendramodi on his temple in Gujarat http://t.co/Wgmmjxb5Tn pic.twitter.com/IK5LaZHHOi"

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) February 12, 2015

  Where the  Sonia temple is concerned, IBN-Live had noted that Gandhi is depicted as the officiating deity in the temple built by Shankar Rao, a legislator from Andhra Pradesh. Rao had dismissed charges of sycophancy and told reporters that the temple for Gandhi was his way of showing gratitude to the Congress President for creating a separate Telangana state. While Sonia Gandhi has never spoken a word on the issue of the temple, PM Modi has however come out and said that he was shocked by the idea that people were worshipping him. But given that there is more than one Modi temple in existence and that the Rajkot one was present even when he was the chief minister, the PM’s statement hasn’t impressed his critics.