Congress Counters BJPs Nehru-Somnath Temple Claims: Nehru Was Transparent

The Congress has refuted BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedis claims that former PM Jawaharlal Nehru opposed then President Rajendra Prasads involvement with the Somnath temple. The party asserts that Nehru was transparent and left written records, including letters to then Home Minister C Rajagopalachari and President Rajendra Prasad, which are available online.

The Congress party has strongly refuted the recent claims made by BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, who alleged that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the association of then President Rajendra Prasad with the Somnath temple. The Congress has asserted that Nehru was completely transparent in his actions and has provided written records to support their stance.

Nehru's Correspondence on Somnath Temple

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to social media to share several letters written by Nehru on the subject, which are available in the public domain as part of the Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru. Contrary to Trivedi's claims, Ramesh stated that these letters do not reveal any hidden revelations and that Nehru was transparent in his communication.

In a letter dated March 11, 1951, Nehru wrote to then Home Minister C Rajagopalachari expressing his reservations about President Prasad's association with the inauguration of the Somnath temple. Nehru acknowledged that there was no objection to the President visiting the temple under normal circumstances, but he felt that the occasion carried certain political implications. He preferred that the President not associate himself with the event but left the final decision to Prasad's discretion.

Nehru further wrote to President Prasad on March 13, 1951, stating that he would not press his point if Prasad felt it was inappropriate to decline the invitation. However, Nehru also highlighted that the visit was gaining political significance and that he was facing questions about it in Parliament. He reiterated that the government had no involvement in the matter.

BJP's Criticism of Congress

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Trivedi had criticized the Congress for its leaders' decision to decline the invitation to attend the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. He alleged that Nehru opposed President Prasad's association with the Somnath temple and accused the Congress of continuing Nehru's legacy by disowning Mahatma Gandhi's Ram Rajya concept.

Trivedi also referred to incidents during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, when saints protesting against cow-slaughter were fired upon, and during Sonia Gandhi's presidency, when Lord Ram was described as an imaginary figure. He accused the Congress of politicizing religious matters for electoral gains.

Congress's Defense

The Congress has strongly defended its leaders' decision not to attend the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, asserting that the BJP has turned it into a political project for electoral gains. The party has maintained that it respects religious sentiments but opposes the politicization of religious events.

The exchange between the Congress and the BJP over Nehru's stance on the Somnath temple and the Ram Temple consecration ceremony highlights the ongoing political discourse in India surrounding religious matters. The Congress has sought to defend its legacy and actions, while the BJP has criticized the party's approach to religious issues.