Ram temple is political Modi function
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked the Ram temple consecration ceremony, calling it a political Narendra Modi function.
“The RSS and the BJP have made the 22nd January function a completely political Narendra Modi function. It’s a RSS BJP function and I think that is why the Congress President said that he would not go to the function. We are open to all religions, all practices,” Gandhi said at a briefing during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Nagaland’s capital Kohima.
“Even the authorities of the Hindu religion, the biggest authorities of the Hindu religion have made their view public about what they think about the 22nd January function that it is a political function. So it is difficult for us to go to a political function which is designed around the Prime Minister of India and designed around the RSS,” Gandhi added.
Gandhi’s statement comes days after the Congress declined the invitation for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, saying that its party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi and Cong floor leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will not attend the event.
In its statement, the Congress had said,“The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the [ruling] BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] and [its ideological fountainhead] the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain.”
The seven-day rituals for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony began on Tuesday. The main consecration ceremony will be held on January 22 and will be presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grand event will be attended by prominent saints, celebrities including sportspersons, actors and industrialists.
“The ‘anushthan’ has started and will continue till January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony. Eleven priests are performing the rituals invoking all the “devis and devtas” (goddesses and gods),” Ram temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das told PTI.
Rahul Gandhi’s comment during the Ram temple consecration ceremony in 2024, where he referred to it as a ‘political Narendra Modi function,’ sparked a debate and drew attention to the intersection of religion and politics in India.
The Ram temple consecration ceremony held immense significance for millions of Indians as it marked the culmination of a long-standing and contentious issue surrounding the construction of the temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The ceremony was attended by political leaders from various parties, religious leaders, and thousands of devotees.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress, made the remark that characterized the ceremony as a ‘political Narendra Modi function.’ This comment, coming from a leader of the opposition party, generated mixed reactions.
On one hand, some viewed Gandhi’s statement as a political critique, highlighting the perceived intertwining of religious events with political narratives. The construction of the Ram temple had been a key promise of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi’s comment underscored the idea that the ceremony was being used for political gains, particularly in the context of upcoming elections or to solidify a political narrative.
On the other hand, critics of Gandhi’s statement argued that the ceremony held deep cultural and religious significance for a large section of the Indian population. They contended that characterizing it solely as a ‘political function’ undermined the spiritual and historical aspects associated with the construction of the Ram temple. The event was seen by many as the realization of a decades-old demand and a momentous occasion for the Hindu community.
The remarks also reignited discussions about the delicate balance between religion and politics in India. The country, known for its diverse cultural and religious landscape, has witnessed instances where political leaders align themselves with religious sentiments to gain support. The Ram temple issue, in particular, has been a focal point in Indian politics for decades, often polarizing opinions.
As political leaders engage in discourse surrounding religious events, it raises questions about the secular fabric of the nation. While the Indian Constitution upholds the principle of secularism, the intersection of religion and politics remains a complex and debated aspect of the country’s socio-political landscape.
Political discourse around religious events sparks debates on India’s secular fabric. Despite constitutional adherence to secularism, the intersection of religion and politics remains complex and contentious, reflecting the ongoing challenge of maintaining a balance between diverse religious sentiments and the principles of a secular state.
In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi’s comment on the Ram temple consecration ceremony as a ‘political Narendra Modi function’ encapsulates the ongoing debate about the intertwining of religion and politics in India. The remark reflects differing perspectives on the significance of the ceremony, with some emphasizing its religious and cultural importance and others viewing it through the lens of political strategy. The discourse surrounding such events continues to shape the broader narrative of Indian politics, prompting reflections on the delicate balance between secularism and the diverse religious beliefs held by the population.
