New Delhi [India], October 11 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Kerala government over the ongoing Sabarimala temple gold plating controversy, alleging large-scale corruption and misuse of temple resources, and stated that the Devaswom Board and the ministers involved in the alleged irregularities must be exposed.

Speaking to ANI, Chugh claimed that the Left-led Kerala government had turned Hindu temples into 'a hub of corruption' and demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.

'...Kerala's leftist government has turned Hindu temples into a hub of corruption...The state government has influence on SIT investigations...Accountability and a thorough investigation are needed...Devaswom board and ministers involved in this corruption must be exposed....Kerala's left government has been looting temple gold for many years now...' Chugh told ANI.

The BJP leader accused the state government of systematically mismanaging religious institutions under its control and called for transparency in the functioning of temple boards.

Chugh also supported Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks on the rights of persecuted minorities from Pakistan and Bangladesh, stating that only Indian citizens had the constitutional right to vote and that illegal infiltration posed a threat to national sovereignty.

Chugh lashed out at the INDIA alliance, alleging that they had been promoting the sheltering of outsiders for their vote bank.

'...Only Indian citizens have the constitutional right to vote; infiltration of outsiders is an attack on India's sovereignty...INDIA alliance is promoting sheltering of outsiders for its vote bank...Refuge and illegal infiltration are two different things...' he said.

Amit Shah, while addressing the 'Narendra Mohan Smriti Lecture' and 'Sahitya Srishti Samman' event organised by Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, had emphasised India's civilisational responsibility toward persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries.

'Everyone does not have the right to come here. Those who have faced injustice are welcome... Hindus of Pakistan and Bangladesh have as much right over the soil of this country as I have over it.(Jitna mera adhikar iss desh ki mitti par hai, utna hi adhikar Pakistan aur Bangladesh ke Hinduon ka iss desh ki mitti par hai),' Shah had said.

He also clarified the distinction between refugees and infiltrators, adding that indiscriminate entry would turn the country into a 'Dharamshala'.

'They ask what the difference between a refugee and an infiltrator is. Those who come to India seeking refuge to save their religion are refugees -- Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians. But those who come here without any religious persecution and enter illegally are infiltrators. If everyone is allowed to come, our country will turn into a 'Dharamshala',' Shah added.

The Home Minister further highlighted how infiltration has led to demographic changes over the years, calling for national awareness on the issue.

'Today, infiltration, demographic change, and democracy; I want to say without hesitation that until every Indian understands these three issues, we cannot ensure our country, our culture, our languages, and our independence. These three topics are interconnected...' Shah said. (ANI)