In the lead-up to the much-anticipated consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a divergence in responses from key Opposition leaders has taken center stage, offering a unique perspective amid the grand celebrations. The Ram Temple trust organizing the event extended invitations to several Opposition leaders, but a notable number have chosen to stay away, sparking a debate on the intersection of religion and politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ‘pran pratistha’ ceremony, drawing attention from religious leaders, film stars, sportspersons, musicians, and other notable figures converging from across the nation.
Despite more than 10,000 exclusive invitations being distributed, the absence of Opposition leaders has raised questions. Accusations of politicizing a religious event have been levied against the BJP, with some leaders opting to defer their temple visits to a later date.
Rahul Gandhi’s Northeast Sojourn Amidst BJP Protests
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, currently on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the Northeast, is scheduled to visit Batadrava Than, the birthplace of the 15th-century social reformer Srimanta Sankardev, after the Ayodhya ceremony concludes. The visit has stirred controversy, with Assam’s BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cautioning against creating a perceived competition between the two events.
Accusations of creating hurdles in the Congress yatra have been exchanged, with Jairam Ramesh asserting that Chief Minister Sarma loses his composure at the mere mention of Congress and Rahul Gandhi.
Mamata Banerjee’s ‘All-Faith Rally’ in Kolkata
Simultaneously, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who received an invite for the Ayodhya event, plans to hold a parallel rally in Kolkata promoting religious harmony. The Trinamool Congress has defended its actions against accusations of creating distractions, emphasizing previous instances of similar rallies.
AAP’s Community Events in Delhi
In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has organized a series of events, including shobha yatras, bhandaras, Sundar Kand recitals, and aartis, to coincide with the Ayodhya event. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, despite expecting a formal invitation, has encouraged AAP members to actively participate in these community events.
DMK vs. BJP in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK, led by MK Stalin, has expressed its disagreement with the temple’s construction after the demolition of a mosque. Allegations of the Tamil Nadu government refusing permission for public screenings of the Ayodhya event have been countered, with the DMK accusing the BJP of diversionary tactics.
Veteran Leaders’ Choices: Pawar, Lalu Yadav, Thackeray, and CPM
NCP chief Sharad Pawar and RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav have chosen to visit the Ayodhya temple after the ceremony to avoid the crowd. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, heading the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, will stay away, opting to offer prayers at the Kalaram temple in Nashik.
The CPM, consistent in its stance against combining religion with politics, will also skip the event, emphasizing respect for religious sentiments while asserting the need to maintain the separation of the two realms.