New Delhi: Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have decided not to attend the upcoming Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, denouncing it as an “RSS/BJP event.”
In an official statement released to the media, Jairam Ramesh, the General Secretary of Congress responsible for communication, asserted that the inauguration of the unfinished temple by BJP and RSS leaders is primarily driven by political motives.
Ramesh stated, “Lord Ram holds a special place in the hearts of millions in our country, and religious beliefs are deeply personal. However, the RSS/BJP have consistently turned the Ayodhya temple project into a political agenda.”
Last month, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust extended invitations to Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
The Congress leader further explained, “While respecting the 2019 Supreme Court verdict and the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have gracefully declined the invitation to an event that is evidently orchestrated by the RSS/BJP.”
The inauguration, scheduled for January 22 and to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will feature the presence of political leaders, industrialists, actors, and other prominent figures. Preceding this event, an international airport and a redeveloped railway station were inaugurated in the area, generating widespread interest across the nation.
The renovated town of Ayodhya is bracing itself to welcome thousands of visitors on this significant occasion. In preparation, the Uttar Pradesh government announced the closure of schools and colleges throughout the state on January 22. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and in various locations abroad.