The inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has triggered political uproar after several opposition politicians refused to accept the invitation.
On Tuesday, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) politician Brinda Karat said that her party won’t attend the consecration as the “religious program is being politicized”.
“We respect the religious beliefs... but they are connecting a religious program with politics. Using religion as a political weapon or to advance a political agenda is not right," Karat said while talking to the media.
Echoing the views of Karat, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that this ceremony has been converted into a state-sponsored event by the prime minister, Uttar Pradesh state chief and others holding constitutional positions.
Karat is not the only opposition member to refuse to attend the event. Former Congress member Kapil Sibal also refused to attend.
While talking to the media, Sibal said that Lord Ram is in his heart so he doesn’t feel the need to attend the ceremony.
“If Ram is in my heart, and Ram has guided me on my journey, it means I have done something right,” the former Congress member said.
Terming the consecration as a show of strength for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sibal said: “They talk about Lord Ram but their character is nowhere close. Truthfulness, tolerance, sacrifice, and respect for others are some of the traits of Ram but they do exactly the opposite... you need to have Ram's principles in your heart.”
BJP Strongly Retorts Opposition’s Shunning
The BJP, for its part, strongly hit back at those who refused to attend the ceremony.
BJP politician Meenakshi Lekhi said: “Invitations were sent to all (but) only those called by Lord Ram will come.”
Apart from Lekhi, Hindu group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also lashed out at the CPI(M) for not attending the consecration.
"There are reports that... those whose name is Sitaram will not go to Ayodhya Dham!! Political opposition is understandable, but if someone has so much hatred for his own name, he can only be a communist! Whether the hatred is towards Ram or towards one's own name, it has to be told,” VHP national spokesperson said in a tweet in Hindi.
In another tweet, Bansal said that insulting Hindus, Hindutva and Hindu values seems to have become a part of their DNA.
The consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya is scheduled for January 22. It is likely to be a mega event as invitations for the ceremony have been sent to religious leaders, actors, sportspersons, and many others.
Apart from this, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress politician and leader of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and many other politicians have also been invited. However, it is still not clear whether Rahul Gandhi has received an invitation or not.
The construction of the Ram Temple has been a major campaign issue for the BJP and the consecration is likely to benefit the saffron party in the 2024 parliamentary polls scheduled to be held in March-April 2024.