Rahul Gandhi's 'political Modi function' jibe at Ram Mandir event
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. He said that the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine has turned the event into a "completely political Modi function". Gandhi said this is why Congress leaders will not attend the consecration ceremony.
Difficult for Congress to go to political function: Gandhi
Addressing a gathering on Day 3 of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi said, "Even the authorities of the Hindu religion... have made their view public about what they think about the 22nd January function that it is political". "So it is difficult for us to go to a political function which is designed around the PM and the RSS," he said.
Political row around Ram Mandir consecration
The Ram Mandir's consecration has triggered a political row after the opposition called it an out-and-out political event by the BJP. Last week, Congress leaders including its president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi rejected the invitation to the event. However, Congress's Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai and other party leaders visited Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti to pay their obeisance.
BJP reacts to Congress's Ayodhya visit
Amid criticism, the BJP attacked the Congress leaders, calling them "opportunists" for visiting Ayodhya. "They are like 'barsati mendak (frogs)' They can do anything for politics. They have been doing appeasement politics, but I will say 'better late than never'," Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi said. She stated that many who had referred to Lord Ram as a fictitious character were now being awakened.
More on Ram Mandir consecration ceremony
The pran pratishtha ceremony includes seven-day rituals, beginning from Tuesday. The rituals are being performed by eleven priests invoking all the goddesses and gods, as per Ram Mandir chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das. The main event will be held on January 22, headlined by PM Modi. Prominent saints, and celebrities including sportspersons, actors, and industrialists will be in attendance.
