Nitish chides his MLC for demanding holiday on Guru Purnima

Patna, July 10 (HS): A demand for government holiday on Guru Purnima by the ruling party members in the Bihar legislative council on Wednesday backfired as chief minister Nitish Kumar went harsh on at least one of the legislators of his own party and sternly discouraged him for “holding puja every day and seeking holiday every day.”

The demand for holiday on Guru Purnima was raised by Sanjiv Kumar Singh of JD(U) and his party colleague Ranbir Nandan rose in support. He also chanted some shloka in Sanskrit to highlight the importance and dignity of teachers. Acting chairman of the council Haroon Rashid was trying to dissuade him from speaking further but he did not listen. The CM who was in his council chamber and watching the proceeding on screen rushed to the House.

Kumar asked Nandan if his teachers taught exactly what he was saying in the council. “Does your teachers teach you to pay respect to Gurus but defy them,” he reacted and asked, “Which Guru told you to seek holiday on Guru Purnima.” Nandan sat silent and he had no answer.

The CM said, “What was the logic for demanding holiday. It means there should be holiday for each event. Then hold puja every day and observe holiday every day.” He said Gupt Navratri was going on and asked his MLC if he was performing puja. A visibly shaken Nandan said he was not offering puja.

“What kind of pujari you are when avoiding puja?” he again asked him but the member remained silent. The CM advised Nandan to work two hours more in order to pay obeisance to his teachers.