What is the origin of Ganga, 'effects' of bathing in it, asks BJP MP

NEW DELHI: A question by BJP member P P Chauhan in the Lok Sabha about the origin of the Ganga and the “effects“ of bathing in it left MPs amused on Thursday. “I want to know who brought the Ganga? Why did he bring it? What was its purpose?

What effect does bathing in it have?“ Chauhan asked when minister of state for water resources Sanwar Lal Jat was speaking on river and drainage issues during question hour.

While Jat turned to mythology to answer the question and said it was brought by King Bhagirath for the welfare of the people, the question left even Speaker Sumitra Mahajan surprised. “What is this? Is it a question?“ she asked. Chauhan is MP from Panchmahal in Gujarat.

This odd question had many members smiling while others were seen with a surprised look on their faces.

Jat said it was a “historical“ matter and added that it was believed that Bhagirath had brought the river. “People used to worship the river in ancient times. Worship is also done in present days.“

The Lower House witnessed a similar plea when BJP MP from Ambala, Rattan Lal Kataria, requested MoS for tourism and culture Mahesh Sharma to designate the historical banyan tree of Jyotishar in Kurukshetra as of national importance.

Kataria said he was surprised that the tree, under which Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered a sermon 5,000 years ago, was not treated as a place of national importance. The minister said he would visit Kurukshetra on March 23 to find out what the government could do.