Opposition Questions; PM Modi's Invite For Ram Mandir Inauguration In Ayodhya A Pre-Electoral Tool?

The invitation extended solely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, scheduled for 22nd January, 2024, has raised concerns among opposition leaders. Opposition leaders on Thursday, 26th October question whether this event is becoming a political affair just ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid voiced his concern, asking if the invitation was intended for only one party. "Is this becoming a party event now? God belongs to everyone. Every party should have received the invitation. They should have at least made it clear that everyone will being invited. I have not come across any such statement," HT quoted him saying.

Sanjay Raut, a leader from Shiv Sena (Uddhav), expressed his opinion that there was no need to send a formal invitation to PM Modi, as he would naturally attend such a significant event. He highlighted the historical context of the Ram Mandir's construction, involving numerous Hindutva organizations and parties, including Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and LK Advani's Rath Yatra.

Raut said, "Ram Mandir was supposed to be built. Thousands of karsevaks have given their lives for it. All Hindutvavadi organisations and parties were involved. Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were there... LK Advani took out a Rath Yatra. It is the result of all of this that Ram Mandir is being built... This is why PM Modi would go and perform prayers but I think that this is the preparation of the elections..."

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath stressed that the Ram Mandir belongs to every citizen of India, regardless of political affiliation. "Does the Ram Mandir belong to the BJP? It belongs to everyone in our country. It is a very big symbol of our Sanatana Dharma. I am very happy that the Ram Mandir is finally being built," said, Kamal Nath as per the HT report.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan expressed skepticism regarding the political use of Ram's birth in the context of the BJP's actions. "What can I say? They have demolished history and replaced it with mythology. Any country should be proud of its history, it should know the history. Ram's birth is mythology, it is a story from Ramayana. It is literature. They want to replace history with mythology. That is what the BJP is trying to do. With these people in power, what can we expect?...He wants to make use of it as a political tool. He is not interested in Ram. BJP does not consider Ram as an important thing but their political gain becomes important so they are making use of Ram for their political gains," he said

The Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust extended a special invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to place the idol of Lord Ram in the Garbhagriha of the Ram Mandir in the Ayodhya temple. The significant ceremony is scheduled for 22nd January, 2024. In response, Prime Minister Modi graciously accepted the invitation, expressing his deep appreciation for the opportunity to be part of this historic and momentous occasion.