Opposition Leaders Raise Concerns Over PM Modi’s Invitation to Ram Mandir Inauguration

Controversy has erupted over the invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22, 2024. Opposition leaders have raised questions about the exclusive invitation and its potential political implications just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leaders expressed concerns about the event potentially turning into a political platform for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Salman Khurshid, a prominent Congress leader, raised questions about whether the invitation was being selectively sent to a single party, rather than being inclusive. He emphasized that religious events, especially one as significant as the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, should be accessible to all, irrespective of political affiliations.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, while not opposing the invitation to PM Modi, questioned the necessity of the invitation, as it is expected that the Prime Minister would attend such a monumental event voluntarily. Raut emphasized the collective efforts of various Hindutvavadi organizations and parties, including Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in the long-standing journey to build the Ram Mandir. He speculated that the timing of the event could be linked to preparations for the upcoming 2024 elections.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath echoed the sentiment that the Ram Mandir represents a significant symbol of India’s Sanatana Dharma and belongs to all citizens, regardless of political affiliations. He expressed his happiness that the Ram Mandir was finally being built.

The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi to place the idol of Lord Ram in the Garbhagriha of the Ram Mandir, a momentous occasion that the Prime Minister accepted, considering it his good fortune.

However, DMK leader TKS Elangovan expressed skepticism and criticized the BJP’s approach to the event. He labeled the belief in Ram’s birth as mythology and suggested that the BJP was attempting to replace history with mythology. Elangovan accused the BJP of using the Ram Mandir for political gains rather than genuinely valuing the religious and cultural significance of the event.

The controversy surrounding the exclusive invitation to Prime Minister Modi for the Ram Mandir ‘s inauguration highlights the intersection of religion and politics in India, particularly in the lead-up to major elections.