Himachal Pradesh Congress Chief Breaks Ranks, Praises PM Modis Ram Temple Initiative

In a surprising turn of events, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiative in constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya, despite the partys central leadership declining the invitation to attend the consecration ceremony.

In a significant development, Pratibha Singh, the president of the Congress party's Himachal Pradesh unit, has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya. This comes just days after the Congress high command decided not to attend the consecration ceremony of the temple.

Singh's Commendation

In a video that surfaced on social media, Singh is heard praising the Prime Minister's efforts in constructing the Ram temple. She stated, "The initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to construct the Ram Temple is truly commendable." Singh also highlighted the deep faith of her late husband and former chief minister Virbhadra Singh in gods and his contributions to renovating several temples in the state.

Invitation and Decision Pending

When approached by reporters on Friday evening, Singh revealed that she and her son Vikramaditya Singh have received a joint invitation to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. However, she mentioned that she has yet to make a decision regarding their attendance.

Religious Sentiments in Himachal Pradesh

In the video, Singh emphasized the religious sentiments of the people of Himachal Pradesh, stating that Hindus constitute 98% of the total population. She expressed their shared faith in Lord Ram and their desire for the progress of their religion.

Congress's Stance on Ram Temple

In contrast to Singh's remarks, top Congress leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined the invitation to attend the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. The party accused the BJP of politicizing the event for electoral gains and asserted that religion is a personal matter.

BJP's Response

The BJP responded to the Congress's decision by stating that there is nothing new in their stance. The party alleged that the opposition party and its allies have been insulting Hindus and Sanatan Dharma. The BJP claimed that the Congress will face a boycott from the people of India for its decision.

Vikramaditya Singh's Earlier Statement

Earlier, on January 8, Vikramaditya Singh had made his position clear, expressing his intention to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. He emphasized that it is not a political issue and considered it an honor to be among the few invitees from Himachal Pradesh. Singh thanked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishva Hindu Parishad for extending the invitation to him and his family.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's Comments

A day after Vikramaditya Singh's statement, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asserted that they do not require an invitation to visit Ayodhya. He stated that they would go to Ayodhya after the consecration ceremony.

The differing stances of the Congress party's Himachal Pradesh unit and the central leadership on the Ram temple consecration ceremony have created a divide within the party. While Pratibha Singh has commended Prime Minister Modi's initiative, the top Congress leaders have declined the invitation, accusing the BJP of politicizing the event. The decision of whether or not to attend the ceremony remains a matter of debate within the party.