The upcoming inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stirred controversy, with the Congress party accusing the ruling party of exploiting the event for political gains ahead of the general elections. The reported refusal of four shankaracharyas to attend the ceremony has added fuel to the fire, raising questions about the BJP’s motives in inaugurating an under-construction place of worship.
Congress leader Alka Lamba expressed concerns over the timing of the event, stating, “Ask them (BJP), why are the Shankaracharyas not going (to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony). They said that the construction of Ram Mandir is incomplete, why are the BJP and PM in a hurry? Inaugurating the temple while it is under construction and politicizing it; it is evident because elections are nearing.”
The decision by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to abstain from the event further highlights the political divide. The Congress party released a statement emphasizing that religion is a personal matter, but the BJP has long turned the temple in Ayodhya into a political project. The statement reads, “The RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain.”
About BJP’s Ram Temple:
The BJP’s move to inaugurate the Ram Temple amid ongoing construction has raised eyebrows, prompting critics to question the sincerity of the timing. The opposition argues that the BJP is attempting to capitalize on the religious sentiments associated with the temple for electoral advantages, especially with the general elections looming.
While the construction of the Ram Temple holds immense cultural and religious significance for many, the controversy surrounding its inauguration has shifted the focus to the political landscape. The BJP’s strategy of combining religious symbolism with electoral politics is not new, and the opposition’s criticism suggests a deepening rift over the politicization of religious events.
As the nation watches the events unfold in Ayodhya, the BJP faces scrutiny for its decisions surrounding the Ram Temple inauguration. The clash between religious sentiments and political maneuvers underscores the complex interplay between faith and politics in India, leaving citizens and observers to ponder the true motivations behind the timing of the ceremony.
