Congress Declines Invitation to Ram Temple Event, Citing Religion as a Personal Affair

The Congress declines the invitation to Ayodhya's Ram Temple inauguration, branding it a BJP "political project." The move sparks controversy, with the BJP accusing Congress of anti-Hindu sentiments. The temple's significance to BJP's rise in the '90s adds political weight. As opposition parties also hesitate, the event becomes a flashpoint before the general elections.

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In a significant development today, the Congress party firmly rejected the invitation to attend the grand inauguration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Declaring it a "political project" of the BJP and the RSS, the party's leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, opted out of the high-profile event.

"Religion is a personal matter," emphasized Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, in a statement. He accused the BJP and RSS of turning the temple inauguration into a political venture aimed at electoral gains. Despite respecting the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and sentiments toward Lord Ram, the Congress leaders declined the invitation, asserting it was an RSS/BJP event.

This refusal is poised to become the latest point of contention between the Congress and the BJP in the lead-up to the general elections. Traditionally, the BJP accuses the Congress of playing to minority sentiments, and the Congress's decision is expected to be exploited for political advantage.

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The BJP's spokesperson, Nalin Kohli, criticized the Congress, citing their historical stance on Ayodhya. Union Minister Anurag Thakur went further, likening Congress to Ravan from Ramayana and suggesting a backlash from the people in 2024.

The Ayodhya Ram Temple has been a cornerstone of the BJP's political agenda, contributing significantly to its rise in the 1990s. The January 22 inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to draw political leaders, industrialists, and other prominent figures. The event, following the inauguration of an international airport and a redeveloped railway station, is generating widespread interest and will be broadcast live nationally and internationally.