Narendra Modi supporters celebrate his Shastra Pooja, critics poke fun

New Delhi: The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi does it every year. But, this year it has assumed a lot of significance. It is also drawing both praise from his supporters and sharp criticism from his detractors.

According his website www.narendramodi.in Modi extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of Vijayadashami. As he does every year, Narendra Modi joined 'Shastra Pooja' (worship of weapons) in the presence of the police and security personnel. He performed pooja to ancient weapons such as swords and modern weapons like pistols and automatic rifles used by the armed forces and police.

(In ancient times, Kings used to worship their weapon during the 9th day or the last day of Dussehra/Navaratri. It was considered the most auspicious period to launch a war against their enemies. This ritual is a way of expressing the gratitude towards the weapons. It also symbolises the presence of divinity in every tool used, including weapons)

In the pictures released by the Gujarat government, Modi clad in a deep peach coloured Kurta was seen worshipping swords and guns. He later tweeted on Twitter.

Modi also tweeted that he met a widow of a Param Vir Chakra awardee. It was followed by another tweet in Urdu.

Modi critics and detractors who keep a close watch on every action of BJP's mascot in the next general elections, responded by poking fun at him in their tweets. Some had a problem with him worshipping modern weapons in the name of age old tradition.

Modi supporters countered them by drawing their attention towards Shastra Pooja performed by the Congress leaders. Some even hoped that the Modi haters will stop hating him after the festival.