The upcoming consecration ceremony of Ramlala’s statue on January 22 in Ayodhya has captured the attention of the entire nation. The anticipation among Ram devotees globally is palpable as the event approaches. However, amidst the religious fervor, political tensions are escalating, creating a tug-of-war within the political circles.
The ruling party, BJP, and its affiliated factions are actively engaged in the rituals associated with the construction of the Ram temple. Concurrently, opposition parties find themselves in a state of disarray over their stance on this event. Recently, senior leaders from the primary opposition party, Congress, declined the invitation extended by the temple trust. This decision drew criticism from leaders within the ruling party.
Nevertheless, within the Congress Party, several leaders are preparing to attend the event in Ayodhya despite the party’s official rejection. Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia from Porbandar, Gujarat, highlighted the official statement of the Congress party through a post on X on Wednesday evening. He expressed, “Lord Shri Ram is a deity. This transcends into the faith and beliefs of the citizens. The Congress Party (@INCIndia) should have refrained from making this a political decision.”
भगवान श्री राम आराध्य देव हैं।
यह देशवासियों की आस्था और विश्वास का विषय है। @INCIndia को ऐसे राजनीतिक निर्णय लेने से दूर रहना चाहिए था। pic.twitter.com/yzDTFe9wDc
— Arjun Modhwadia (@arjunmodhwadia) January 10, 2024
Amidst the verbal sparring between the BJP and Congress, the latter’s leaders find themselves in a nuanced situation. Despite the party’s rejection at an official level, individual members are displaying interest in participating, reflecting the internal divide within the party’s ranks.
Statement of Shri Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Communications), Indian National Congress
“Last month, the Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and the Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury received an invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya to be held on January 22nd, 2024.
Lord Ram is worshipped by millions in our country. Religion is a personal matter. But the RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain. While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honoring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event.”
