Congress didn’t merit an invitation | To Ram Temple
On Wednesday, the Congress referred to the inauguration as a “RSS/BJP event” and charged that the BJP and RSS were using it as a political stunt to win over more voters.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, poked fun at the Congress party on Thursday for the latter’s decision to skip the Ram Temple consecration event scheduled for January 22. He claimed that the Congress blew a great chance to lessen its transgressions. In addition, he said the celebration wasn’t worthy of the invitation.
“By inviting the Congress leadership to the Shri Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsava, the VHP has provided the party with a fantastic chance to lessen its transgressions. Though, in my humble opinion, given their opposition to the Ram Mandir from the start, they never should have received such an invitation,” Sarma remarked.
On Wednesday, the Congress referred to the inauguration as a “RSS/BJP event” and charged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were using it as a political stunt to win over more votes.
“Belief is an individual’s affair. However, the Ayodhya temple has long been a political initiative for the RSS/BJP. The statement from the party stated, “It is evident that the inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been brought forward for electoral gain.”
Sarma stated that by accepting the offer, the party might have expressed regret to the Hindu community.
He stated, “They could have offered the Hindu Samaj a symbolic apology by accepting this invitation.”
Sarma also brought up the subject of rebuilding the temple at Somnath.
But the Congress leadership handled the Ram Temple in the same way that Pt. Nehru handled the Somnath Temple. They will always be viewed as an anti-Hindu party by history.
The decision made by the Congress party put an end to weeks of conjecture regarding the party leaders’ attendance at the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony. The temple has long been a centerpiece of the BJP’s electoral platform and is anticipated to be a key platform for the party in the 2024 election campaign.
The invitation has already been turned down by Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The three leaders now join them.
A Missed Opportunity for Congress
Sarma expressed his disappointment at Congress’ refusal to accept the invitation extended by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to attend the Shri Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha Mahotsava. He believed that by accepting the invitation, Congress could have symbolically offered an apology to the Hindu community, thereby reducing the perceived sin associated with their previous opposition to the temple.
By accepting this invitation, they could have symbolically offered an apology to the Hindu Samaj. However, like Pt Nehru did with the Somnath Temple, the Congress leadership did the same with the Ram Temple. History will continue to judge them as an anti-Hindu party.” – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Sarma’s comparison to Pt Nehru’s stance on the Somnath Temple highlights his belief that Congress has historically been perceived as an anti-Hindu party. This decision by Congress, according to Sarma, only reinforces that perception.
Congress’ Statement on the Invitation
Prior to Sarma’s comments, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (communications), Jairam Ramesh, released a statement explaining the party’s decision. The statement emphasized that while Congress respected the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment and the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, they considered the event to be predominantly an RSS/BJP affair.
While abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and honoring the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, Shri Mallilkarjun Kharge, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, and Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have respectfully declined the invitation to what is clearly an RSS/BJP event.” – Jairam Ramesh
The statement further highlighted the political undertones perceived by Congress, suggesting that the timing of the event had political implications. This stance indicated that Congress viewed the invitation as more than just a religious event and believed it carried a hidden political agenda.
Sarma’s Criticism and the Anti-Hindu Label
Sarma’s criticism of Congress stems from his belief that their historical opposition to the construction of the Ram Mandir has branded the party as anti-Hindu. He argues that by accepting the invitation, Congress could have symbolically apologized to the Hindu community and attempted to repair their image. However, their refusal to attend the ceremony has further solidified the perception of Congress as an anti-Hindu party.
The reference made by Sarma to Pt Nehru’s stance on the Somnath Temple is significant. Pt Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and a prominent Congress leader, was known for his opposition to the rebuilding of the Somnath Temple. This historical parallel drawn by Sarma reinforces his argument that Congress has a long-standing history of being perceived as anti-Hindu.
Conclusion
The decision by Congress to decline the invitation to the Ram Temple consecration ceremony has ignited a heated debate. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s criticism of Congress, labeling them as anti-Hindu, has added fuel to the fire. The controversy surrounding the construction of the Ram Mandir and Congress’ stance on the issue continues to be a polarizing topic in Indian politics.
While Congress has cited the event’s political undertones as the reason for their decision, their refusal to attend has been seen by many as a missed opportunity to bridge the gap between the party and the Hindu community. Only time will tell how history judges Congress’ stance on the Ram Temple, but for now, the controversy surrounding their decision persists.
