Expressing regret over the Congress’ decision to decline the invitation to the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president Alok Kumar stated on Thursday that the move was perceived as an act of arrogance. Kumar, speaking at an event for the release of the book ‘Rom Rom me Ram,’ emphasized that the doors of the Ram Temple are open to all, welcoming leaders like Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Akhilesh Yadav, and Sharad Pawar.
“We regret that the Congress declined the invitation out of arrogance,” Kumar remarked, adding that the Delhi CM has expressed his intention to visit the temple with his family later, and they are welcomed. He extended the invitation to other opposition leaders, stating that Akhilesh Yadav and Sharad Pawar are also welcome to visit the temple whenever they wish.
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Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that the event has taken on an “election flavour,” Kumar explained that Gandhi did not confirm his visit during his Uttar Pradesh Yatra. He compared the consecration event on January 22 to Independence Day, emphasizing that it signifies the “end of a colonial mindset” and declaring that the completion of the Ram Temple marks the establishment of “Ram Rajya.”
The article highlighted that top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, declined the invitation, citing concerns about the BJP politicizing the event for electoral gains and emphasizing religion as a “personal matter.” Rahul Gandhi defended the party’s decision, accusing the BJP of turning the ceremony into a “Narendra Modi and RSS-BJP function.”
Other political figures like Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M), Mamata Banerjee of the TMC, Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, and Sharad Pawar of the NCP have also made decisions regarding their attendance or non-attendance at the ceremony.
The article noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and over 6,000 attendees are expected at the ceremony, with the temple trust extending invitations to seers from across the country and guests from foreign countries.
