Asia Press Agency

Tag: RSS

  • KN Rajanna Claims “No Vibration” in Ayodhya Ram Mandir

    KN Rajanna Claims “No Vibration” in Ayodhya Ram Mandir

    Karnataka Minister KN Rajanna has ignited controversy by stating that he felt “nothing” inside the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, alleging that the BJP is constructing temples for electoral gains. The minister, in a critical remark, suggested that the BJP’s approach to building temples is driven by political motives rather than spiritual or historical significance.

     

    Rajanna asserted, “There are Ram temples with a history of thousands of years. But the BJP is building temples for elections. BJP is cheating people… In Ayodhya, I felt nothing.” He contrasted the experience in Ayodhya with the feeling of a certain “vibration” when visiting other Ram temples with a longer historical legacy.

     

    The remarks by Karnataka’s Minister add a new layer of controversy to the ongoing discussions surrounding the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22. The consecration event has become a focal point of political discussions, with leaders from various parties expressing their views and decisions regarding attendance.

     

    Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defended his party’s leaders’ decision to decline the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony. Gandhi asserted that the event has been turned into a “Narendra Modi and RSS-BJP function” with an “election flavour.” He highlighted the political nature of the event, making it difficult for the Congress to participate.

     

    “The issue frankly is that the RSS and the BJP have made the 22 January function a completely political, Narendra Modi function,” Rahul Gandhi stated. He clarified that those willing to visit the Ram temple among Congress allies are welcome to do so but emphasized the party’s reservations about the political nature of the ceremony.

     

    The controversy surrounding the Ram temple consecration involves political figures from various parties, with divergent views on the event’s nature and significance. While the consecration holds immense religious and cultural importance, the political interpretations and statements continue to shape the narrative around the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

  • Congress Faces Backlash for Skipping Temple Ceremony

    Congress Faces Backlash for Skipping Temple Ceremony

    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.

  • Congress Leaders’ Decision to Skip Ayodhya Temple Event

    Congress Leaders’ Decision to Skip Ayodhya Temple Event

    The political landscape in India is once again ablaze with controversy as senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, declined an invitation to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and skip the event on January 22. The ceremony, known as Pran Pratistha, marks a significant event in the construction and establishment of the Ram Mandir, a long-standing religious and political issue in the country.

     

    West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the inauguration of the Ram Mandir was a political gimmick ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP dismissed these claims, the decision of Congress leaders to skip the event has ignited a fresh round of political sparring.

     

    Union Minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri responded to the Congress leaders’ decision, stating that they are stuck in their rhetoric and will regret not attending the ceremony. He dismissed their stance, emphasizing that the Ram Mandir’s construction has been a result of a 500-year-long agitation, hence the decision to skip it.

     

    Union Minister Smriti Irani joined the criticism, asserting that the Congress party’s anti-Lord Ram face is evident before the nation. She highlighted the Congress’s historical denial of Lord Ram’s existence, pointing out that the party had filed an affidavit in court claiming Lord Ram to be a fictional character.

     

    The BJP’s national spokesperson, Nalin Kohli, echoed these sentiments, stating that the Congress’s decision aligns with its longstanding position on the Ayodhya issue. He recalled the Congress-UPA government filing an affidavit denying Lord Ram’s existence and emphasized that the Congress party did not actively support the construction of the Ram Mandir.

     

    While the Congress leaders cited the BJP and RSS’s involvement in the temple as a political project for their decision, BJP national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the Congress’s attempt to portray the event as a BJP function. He asserted that Congress’s denial to attend the ceremony is their party’s stand, but blaming it on the BJP is unacceptable.

     

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh explained the party’s position, stating that the BJP and RSS had turned the construction of the Ram Temple into a political project. He accused them of bringing forward the inauguration for electoral gains and highlighted the Congress leaders’ respect for the 2019 Supreme Court judgment while declining the invitation to what they view as an RSS/BJP event.

     

    This political tussle comes as the Ram temple in Ayodhya is set to be inaugurated on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and thousands of attendees expected at the Pran Pratistha ceremony. The event holds immense cultural and religious significance for millions of Indians, especially those who revere Lord Ram.

     

    The decision of Congress leaders not to attend the ceremony underscores the deep-rooted political divisions surrounding the Ayodhya issue. It reflects the party’s historical approach to the matter, characterized by legal disputes, court battles, and a perceived reluctance to actively support the construction of the Ram Mandir. The BJP, on the other hand, sees the temple as a symbol of cultural and national pride, and the ongoing events leading up to the inauguration continue to be a focal point of political discourse in India.