In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) criticism of the Congress for not attending the upcoming Ram Mandir event in Ayodhya, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot argued that it was the BJP that politicized the issue in the first place. Gehlot, speaking to ANI, emphasized that the BJP had turned the event into a political matter, leading to the current situation.
“The BJP made it (Ram Mandir) an issue, which has led to this problem,” Gehlot stated. He further commented on the widespread faith in Lord Ram and the peaceful resolution achieved through the Supreme Court’s verdict. Gehlot expressed his belief that the government and the trust responsible for organizing the event should have acted more inclusively, considering the significance of the Ram Mandir for people of all faiths.
Gehlot pointed out that even prominent Shankaracharyas, revered religious gurus, have decided not to attend the event, indicating the importance and sensitivity of the matter. He emphasized that the BJP should have consulted all sections of society, including different castes, religions, classes, and political parties, to ensure a more unified approach to the event.
The former Chief Minister criticized the BJP’s decision to organize an event conceptualized based on their party ideology. He argued that inviting opposition parties to an event with a clear BJP and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) influence was not the right approach, as leaders from the opposition cannot attend an event that is perceived as politically biased.
Gehlot questioned the need for permission to visit a temple, emphasizing that belief in Lord Ram is widespread. He expressed concerns about the functioning of the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, describing it as arrogant. Gehlot went on to suggest that the current approach poses threats to democracy and challenges the constitutional framework.
The Congress, in response to the invitation for the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla, has declined to attend, labelling it as an event aligned with the BJP and RSS. The decision highlights the continuing political tensions surrounding the Ram Mandir issue.
