The Ministry of Home Affairs in India has granted permission for the Ayodhya Ram temple to receive foreign donations for its construction, a decision that has sparked criticism from the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hypocrisy, citing previous refusals for foreign funds during crises.
The Kerala division of the INC took to social media to express its discontent, referring to the decision as “hypocrisy at its best.” They pointed out instances when Kerala sought foreign funds for reconstruction efforts during deadly floods but was denied permission by the government. The party also highlighted similar refusals for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on humanitarian causes. The INC questioned the decision to grant Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) permission to a temple and asked why there was no sense of pride or self-reliance for the Ram temple.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision opens the door for people from around the world to send donations for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, responsible for the temple’s construction, has been approved by the FCRA Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs to receive voluntary contributions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010. This development marks a significant step in fundraising efforts for the temple’s construction.
The construction work on the ground floor of the three-story Ram temple in Ayodhya is on track to be completed by the end of December. The consecration ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 22, with temple Construction Committee Chairperson Nripendra Mishra confirming the progress. While the final date of the ceremony is yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that the Prime Minister will participate in an event related to the ‘pran pratishtha’ (consecration) between January 20 and 24.
The Ayodhya Ram temple has been a matter of significant cultural and religious importance, and its construction has been a long-standing aspiration for many in India. The decision to allow foreign donations is expected to facilitate the realization of this project.
The criticism by the INC, however, reflects broader debates around foreign contributions and the government’s approach to fundraising for different causes. These issues touch on themes of consistency and transparency in decision-making when it comes to soliciting and accepting foreign funding for various initiatives in the country.
