Somnath Temple authorities said on Wednesday that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi did not sign the register maintained for non-Hindus during his visit to the temple, IANS reported. The clarification comes after reports said that Gandhi had signed his name in the register meant for non-Hindus during his visit to the temple in the poll-bound state.
The temple trust’s secretary, PK Laheri, said Gandhi only put his signature in the visitors’ book. “Rahul wrote ‘This is an inspiring place’ in the book, and he did so in the presence of our general manager Vijaysinh Chawda,” Laheri said at a press conference. “This is the only place where he signed.”
Laheri said the non-Hindu register was being maintained for security reasons. “But Rahulji did not sign it, maybe his media coordinator did. I am not sure. There was nobody there,” Laheri said.
The Congress earlier said the images showing Gandhi’s signature in the non-Hindu register were fake. “There is only one visitor’s book at Somnath temple that was signed by Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated,” the party said on Twitter.
Gandhi visited the temple on Wednesday morning, before his campaign rally in the poll-bound state. Gujarat will go the polls on December 9 and December 14. Votes will be counted on December 18.
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