Monday, May 23 2005 09:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Claiming that "distorted" secularism has created a crisis for nationalism, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L K Advani yesterday (May 22, 2005) said that it is unfortunate that people talking about religion in the country are looked down upon.

"It is only in India that people talking about religion are looked down upon. Its unfortunate," Advani said at the 'Amrit Mahotsava' organised to mark 76th birthday of veteran BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Pyarelal Khandelwal in Bhopal.

"Distorted secularism has created a crisis for nationalism in the country," he said.

Claiming that BJP drew its commitment to the nation from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Advani said Sangh aims at all round development of the country and has bestowed virtues of political ethics, discipline and dedication among workers, enabling them to strike a difference.

Addressing the gathering, senior BJP leader and former HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi alleged that criminals and musclemen have gained prominence in politics, which has witnessed a steady decline of ethics.

RSS and BJP were the only hope to save the situation, he said and alleged that Indian culture was under attack and conditions prevailing during freedom struggle were re-emerging.

Alleging that sycophancy was now considered as politeness and people with self-respect as bad, BJP's fiery sanyasin Uma Bharti said people like Khandelwal have laid the foundation stone of the temple (party).

"Now when the temple is ready, crows have started perching atop it lapping up the credit," she said.

Uma, who shared the dais with Advani after a long gap, was seen holding short discussions with him, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur and State BJP chief Shivraj Singh Chouhan while other leaders were delivering speeches.

Lauding Khandelwal for his commitment and dedication towards the RSS and BJP, the fiery sanyasin said unlike others, the Rajya Sabha member was a silent worker and was never seen speaking to media-formally or informally.

Alleging that BJP and RSS were the target of a malicious campaign, BJP Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said people like Railway Minister Laloo Prasad hold them (BJP and RSS) responsible for every problem.

Naidu also asked party workers to follow the principle of "country first, party second... and yourself last".

The gathering was also addressed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Gaur, Chouhan, Orissa Cooperatives Minister Surama Pani and Orissa BJP president Jual Oram.

Khandelwal was presented with shawl, shriphal, citation and memento to mark the occasion.