PM Narendra Modi appalled by temple dedicated to him, followers shelve plan

NEW DELHI/RAJKOT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was shocked and appalled by reports of a temple dedicated to him being built in his home state Gujarat following which his supporters dropped the plan and have decided to remove his bust.

Modi, who said he was saddened by the news reports about the temple, asked people to instead put time and resources in fulfilling his dream of ' Clean India'.

"Have seen the news about a temple being built in my name. I was appalled. This is shocking & against India's great traditions.

"Building such temples is not what our culture teaches us. Personally, it made me very sad. Would urge those doing it not to do it," Modi said in a series of tweets.

The message was quick to hit home, with members of the 'Om Yuva Group', who were behind the temple dedicated to Modi on Kothariya Road in Rajkot, cancelling its inauguration scheduled for February 15 and said they will now install an idol of 'Bharat Mata' at the shrine.

"We felt pained that we hurt sentiments of our 'God' (Modi) and after his displeasure we have covered his idol installed at the temple," group leader Ramesh Undhad said, adding it will soon be removed.

Another member of the group Jayesh Patel said the temple will now be dedicated to 'Bharat Mata', whose idol will be installed at the shrine which has cost Rs seven lakh to build.

Modi, in his tweets, advised those behind the idea of building a temple in his name to devote their time and resources towards fulfilling the dream of a Clean India.

"We respect the feelings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will give full support to his Clean India campaign," Patel said.

The Kothariya gram panchayat had given a 350 sq yard plot to the group about ten years back for construction of a 'Bharat Mata' temple. But, the group later decided to build a temple dedicated to Modi.