CM cautions parties against mixing religion and politics

Dharamshala, Apr 12 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today cautioned political parties against mixing religion with politics and said the aim of such parties was only to exploit religious sentiments for narrow political gains.

Addressing a public meeting at Bankhandi in Kangra district, he said the country was progressing and developing because it was not a theocratic state.

Without naming BJP, Mr Singh blamed the party for creating divisions within the society on the basis of religion and said communal harmony and freedom of religion was the most important aspects of an individual and that should be upheld at all cost.

Observing that the respective Congress Governments were committed for the balanced and overall development of the state, he said the state had achieved several milestones in all sectors during the last few years.

He announced the upgradation of various schools and the industrial training institute (ITI) at Jaswan Kotla in the district.

The Chief Minister said the private college named after the eminent writer Chander Dhar Sharma Guleri was symbolic of the rich cultural heritage of the state.

The government has decided to constitute an autonomous Development Board for the area and also announced Rs 25 lakh for its initial functioning, he said.

Earlier, he addressed a public meeting at Darkata and laid the foundation-stone of a PHC, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh, and also announced Rs five lakh for the improvement of Nag Mandir, Chelian.

UNI