Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel strongly disapproved of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on Ganga water in a forceful statement. Baghel criticized the intentions of the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning whether devotees should continue their religious rituals in light of this development and emphasizing the need for reconsideration.
Merely four days prior, the Modi government had announced an 18 percent GST on Ganga water, attempting to address concerns surrounding its taxation. However, Baghel and other critics believe this move falls short of addressing the core issues. Baghel urgently called upon the government to rescind this decision, citing the importance of respecting public sentiments and the spiritual significance of Ganga water.
In a tweet, Baghel remarked, “Now GST on Ganga water also! Should devotees not perform puja? Because the intention of the BJP government at the Center seems to be the same. Modi government has imposed an 18 percent subsidy on Ganga water four days ago. This has exposed the faces of fake devotees of Ram, those who pretend to glorify Sanatan culture and those who spread terror in the name of protecting cows. Modi ji, respecting the public sentiments, immediately withdraw the decision to impose GST on Gangajal.”
Baghel argued that this decision has unmasked the true intentions of the BJP, particularly those who exploit religion for political gain and pretend to uphold Sanatan culture and religious beliefs. He contended that the imposition of GST on Ganga water reveals the hypocrisy of the saffron party, which uses religious devotion as a pretext to propagate fear and violence in society.
The taxation of Ganga water has ignited widespread debate, with critics asserting that it infringes upon deeply ingrained religious beliefs and practices embedded in Indian culture.