It remains to be seen how Nagaraju will respond to the backlash and whether he will seek to clarify his position on the matter
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD — In potentially explosive comments, a Congress legislator in Telangana has suggested that schools are more important than temples.
KR Nagaraju, MLA from Wardhannapet in the Warangal Lok Sabha constituency, sparked outrage by asserting that knowledge is found in schools and not temples. His comments suggested that temples may contribute to social issues including beggary while building schools would allow children to be educated.
Nagaraju’s statements quickly went viral on social media igniting anger among Hindu communities and leaders. Several people expressed their discontent over the MLA’s comments, viewing them as disrespectful to cultural and religious sentiments. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Nagaraju will respond to the backlash and whether he will seek to clarify his position on the matter.
Earlier, In January an old video of a young Indian boy discussing the importance of building schools over temples went viral. In the clip, when a reporter suggested that “God will provide jobs and bless us with education,” the boy responded sceptically, stating, “I received my education by attending school; no God came to give it to me.”
He emphasised his preference for respecting his parents and teachers rather than visiting temples. The boy also expressed his aspiration to become an IAS officer and serve the nation.
Nagaraju served in the police forces of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He joined the police department in 1989 and propelled his career for his work against Naxals.
During most of his tenure in the police, Nagaraju worked in Warangal district, then a hotbed of Naxal activity. Once, Left-wing militants planted nearly 70 landmines to target police personnel including him while he was serving as an inspector in Mulugu.
