New Delhi: Ahead of Karnataka Assembly Polls, Congress chief of the state unit DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the grand-old party will look after the development of Anjanadri Hill and educate youth about Lord Hanuman’s principles.

“We will establish a special board to oversee the development of Anjanadri Hill and ensure its preservation. We will organise specific programs aimed at educating the youth about the principles and values embodied by Lord Anjaneya,” said the former Karnataka minister.

Anjanadri Hills is aholy place that is believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Hanuman. It is located in the Koppal district, close to Anegundi across River Tungabhadra from Hampi.

“We have a commitment to the development of Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman) temples across the state if the Congress party comes to power. Our party will also prioritise the construction of new Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman) temples in various parts of the state,” said the Congress leader after visiting Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru.

We are also devotees of Lord Hanuman: DK Shivakumar 

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader Shivakumar hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s statement that “the grand-old party wants to lock Bajrang Bali.”

Shivakumar replied, “We are also devotees of Lord Hanuman. But what is the connection between Hanuman and Bajrang Dal, which are different from each other? Bajrang Dal cannot become Hanuman only because of its name.”

“Activists from the organisation are violating the law through moral policing. Our objective is to ensure that they stay within the ambit of law. The essence of our manifesto has been misinterpreted,” he added.

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During a public rally in the state, the Prime Minister made the statement against Congress hours later the grand-old party released its manifesto, promising to ban Bajrang Dal; a youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.