Congress leader Jairam Ramesh defended his party’s decision to decline an invitation to the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, asserting that Congress members are devout worshippers of Lord Ram. In an interview with ANI, Ramesh labeled the event as “political” and accused the BJP of politicizing religion. He emphasized that while the BJP may view themselves as “traders of Ram,” Congress members hold a genuine reverence for the deity.
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was seen as a significant political event at the grand Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya. However, Ramesh reiterated that the Congress chose to abstain from participation, deeming it to be orchestrated by the RSS/BJP.
Responding to PM Modi’s criticism of the Congress decision during his election rally in Chhattisgarh, Ramesh maintained that Congress’s stance was in line with respecting the sentiments of millions who hold Lord Ram in high regard. He dismissed allegations of taking action against dissenting voices within the party, emphasizing that the decision was based on principles rather than politics.
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The Congress had formally declined the invitation to its senior leaders for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, citing its association with the RSS/BJP. While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment and honoring the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees, key Congress figures including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury chose not to attend the event.
Meanwhile, PM Modi, in a public address in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, celebrated the fulfillment of the long-standing dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. He highlighted the significance of the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations, expressing confidence that the grand temple would bring joy to the people of Chhattisgarh, fondly referred to as Lord Ram’s ‘nanihaal’ or maternal grandmother’s home.
In essence, the differing perspectives between the BJP and Congress regarding the Pran Pratishtha event underscore the intersection of religion and politics in India’s socio-political landscape.
