In a recent twist in Indian politics, Union Minister Giriraj Singh has vehemently criticized the Congress party for its decision to refrain from attending the upcoming Ram temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony scheduled in Ayodhya on January 22. This latest political development has stirred significant controversy, with accusations of opportunism and deep-seated ideological clashes taking center stage.
Singh’s critique of the Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, as “seasonal Hindus” is emblematic of the growing polarization in Indian politics. According to Singh, these leaders conveniently adopt a Hindu stance only when it suits their electoral interests. He underscored the fact that no Congress leader has visited Ayodhya since Jawaharlal Nehru, pointing out the party’s historical role in prolonging the legal proceedings related to the Ram temple case. Singh contends that this history erodes the Congress’s moral standing to participate in the Ayodhya event.
In response, the Congress issued a statement confirming the absence of Kharge, Gandhi, and Chowdhury from the ceremony, branding it as an “RSS/BJP event.” The party defended its decision, asserting that while religion is a personal matter, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have turned the temple inauguration into a political project. The Congress statement also raised concerns about the event’s political timing, just ahead of crucial elections, insinuating that it was strategically orchestrated for electoral gains.
The BJP swiftly responded to the Congress’s stance, launching a counter-critique and accusing the Congress of undermining the cultural and religious significance of the Ram temple. They framed the ceremony’s refusal as a rejection of India’s identity and culture. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, representing the BJP, emphasized that the Congress’s decision to skip the Pran Pratishtha ceremony has contributed to the party’s marginalization in contemporary politics.
This ideological tussle between the BJP and the Congress over the Ayodhya event serves as a microcosm of the broader political landscape in India, where issues of religion, identity, and culture often hold significant sway. The controversy unfolds at a crucial juncture as the country gears up for elections, with the BJP strategically reaffirming its commitment to fulfilling electoral promises, particularly those related to the Ram temple.
Adding to the event’s significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22. The elaborate ceremony, spanning seven days, is set to commence on January 16, with Varanasi priest Lakshmi Kant Dixit spearheading the main rituals of the consecration ceremony.
As the political discourse surrounding the Ayodhya event intensifies, the ramifications of this controversy on public opinion and the electoral landscape remain uncertain. The contrasting positions of the BJP and the Congress underscore the deeply entrenched ideological divisions within Indian politics, underscoring the complexities of navigating the intersection between religion and political discourse.
