Mysuru: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has strongly reacted to Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s statement that India should not become a Hindu nation.

Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at Chamundeshwari Temple on the last Ashada Friday yesterday, Karandlaje said, Dr. Yathindra should first ask his mother about the roots of his culture and faith.

“He should go to his mother and ask: Who are we? What is our culture? What is our religion? What practices do we follow? His mother, the wife of Siddaramaiah who gave birth to him, will give him the right answer,” she remarked.

She said, the country’s culture and traditions had been preserved by great rulers and urged the present-day rulers to uphold them.

“May Goddess Chamundi give strength to those who protect culture and religion. The great kings preserved the traditions and faith of this land. Today’s rulers too must uphold the same. May the Goddess bless those who safeguard our culture,” she said.

On voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Karandlaje alleged that Karnataka had recorded the highest number of deletions in the country, particularly in her Constituency.

“Many votes have been deleted. People are registering votes in their native places. Wherever Kannadigas live, they remain Kannadigas and they should remain voters too,” she said.