Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded on Tuesday to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s characterization of the Ayodhya Ram temple’s ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony as a “Narendra Modi function.” Sarma accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of politicizing the event and defended the importance of the ceremony in Ayodhya.
During a press conference, Chief Minister Sarma refuted Rahul Gandhi’s description of the ceremony as a “political programme.” Sarma stressed that the event held immense religious significance and marked a historic day for Indian civilization. He criticized the decision of opposition leaders to boycott the ceremony, contending that it injected a political dimension into the proceedings.
Directing his comments at Rahul Gandhi, Sarma asserted that if Congress participated in the event without engaging in politics, it would not be deemed a political function. He accused the Congress party of politicizing the religious event by opting to boycott it, alleging that their actions had turned it into a political affair.
Sarma clarified that the Pran Pratistha ceremony scheduled for January 22 would not include any political speeches. Instead, it would provide an opportunity for devotees to have darshan of the idol. He accused Congress of introducing political overtones to the function, emphasizing that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had infused it with political significance through their anti-Hindu sentiments.
Earlier in his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had characterized the ceremony as a “political function” and defended the decision of Congress leaders to skip it. He argued that the BJP consistently added an election flavor to various events, including religious ones. Rahul Gandhi stated that attending the ceremony was challenging for Congress due to its association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sarma concluded by highlighting the skepticism expressed by top Hindu religious leaders regarding the event’s combination with politics and the impending Lok Sabha elections. The exchange between political leaders underscores the ongoing discourse surrounding the Ayodhya Ram temple ceremony and its evolving political implications.
