The decision of senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, to skip the consecration ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has sparked a heated exchange of words with BJP leaders. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri accused the Congress of being trapped in its “rhetoric” and predicted that the party would regret not attending the event on January 22.
“They are stuck in their rhetoric…Why take them seriously? They will regret it if they don’t go,” remarked Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighting what he perceives as the Congress party’s missed opportunity to participate in a historic event.
Union Minister Smriti Irani joined the criticism, stating, “Congress party’s anti-Lord Ram face is before the nation.” She pointed to the party’s past affidavit filed before the court, questioning the existence of Lord Ram. Irani also accused Congress and the INDI Alliance of repeatedly insulting Sanatan Dharma and characterized their decision to decline the invitation as reflective of an “anti-Sanatan mindset.”
Nalin Kohli, BJP national spokesperson, expressed that the Congress decision was not surprising, given their historical denial of Lord Ram’s existence. He emphasized that the Congress party had taken no steps to support the construction of the Ayodhya temple and criticized their attempt to label the event as a political project of the BJP and RSS. Kohli argued that the Congress’s decision did not align with their supposed affection for Lord Ram.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP national secretary, condemned the Congress for attempting to attribute the decision to the BJP. “Congress’ denial to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha is their party’s stand and that’s okay, but quoting that this is a BJP event is unacceptable. I condemn their statement,” stated Sirsa, rejecting the Congress’s characterization of the temple ceremony.
Congress, however, defended its decision by accusing the BJP and RSS of turning the Ram Temple into a political project. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, claimed that the BJP was using the temple for electoral gain. While respecting the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honoring the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees, Congress leaders chose to decline the invitation, considering it an event orchestrated by the RSS and BJP.
Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) general secretary, had earlier turned down the VHP’s invitation for the consecration ceremony, echoing similar sentiments about mixing religion with politics.
The controversy surrounding Congress’s decision to abstain from the Ayodhya ceremony underscores the deep-rooted political and religious complexities in India, with both major parties leveraging historical positions and narratives to score points in the public discourse. The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a symbol of cultural and religious significance, continues to be a focal point for political debate and ideological clashes in the country.