Rahul Gandhi Stages Sit-In After Assam Shrine Entry Denied

Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress workers, on Monday staged a sit-in in Assam's Nagaon, after he alleged that he was not allowed to visit Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva, a social reformer of the state.

According to news agency PTI, barring a local MP and MLA, no Congress leader was allowed to travel beyond Haiboragaon, around 20 km from the temple spot.

Rahul Gandhi denied entry into Assam shrine

A sit-in was staged in Assam's Nagaon by Rahul Gandhi and other Congress workers after he asserted that he was not allowed to visit Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva, a social reformer of the state, on Monday.

According to PTI, beyond Haiboragaon, around 20 km from the temple spot, no Congress leader, except for a local MP and MLA, was permitted to travel. The paying of obeisance to the local deity before starting his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Monday was scheduled for the Congress leader. He also claimed that despite having permission, he was denied entry.

In a video, questioning a security official about the reason for being stopped, Rahul Gandhi was seen. Rahul Gandhi also stated, "I cannot go to Sankardeva's birthplace but others can during a law and order crisis. I will go to Sankardeva's birthplace when I get the opportunity."

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Congress wrote, " Today the BJP government is stopping Rahul Gandhi ji from going to the temple. Who gave the BJP government the right to guard faith? This is injustice, we will continue to fight against it."

In remarks to reporters, it was mentioned by Gandhi, "Srimanta Sankardev reflected the thought of Assam, and I thought that I should pay his respects as we try to walk on his path. He is like a guru to us, and that's why I thought I should visit Batadrava Than. I was invited by them, but I wasn't allowed to visit (the shrine), citing the law and order situation. However, it is weird that Gaurav Gogoi can go there, but I am not allowed."

Regarding the development, it was stated today by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, "Rahul Gandhi wanted to go there. We had been trying since January 11, and two of our MLAs met the Management for the same, " reported Hindustan Times.

"We said that we would come there at 7 am on 22nd January. We were told that we would be welcome. But yesterday, we were suddenly told that we can't come there until 3 pm," was mentioned by Ramesh.

"This is the pressure from the state government. We will try to go there, but going there after 3 pm is very difficult as we would have to cover additional distance," was informed by the senior Congress leader to reporters.

Committee Statement on Rahul Gandhi's Visit to Batadrava Than

The management committee of Batadrava Than declared on Sunday that Rahul Gandhi would be permitted to enter the premises on Monday after 3 pm. The decision was made considering the Pranpratishtha of the Ram Temple and the expected influx of devotees. The announcement mentioned that various programs outside the Than premises would attract thousands of devotees, leading to Rahul Gandhi's visit being scheduled after 3 pm.

Political Tensions and Security Measures Surrounding Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

On the eve of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, political tensions escalated in Assam. The Congress alleged that its leaders were "attacked" during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra by BJP supporters. Rahul Gandhi, facing chants of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Modi, Modi," asserted that his party is not afraid of the prime minister or the Assam chief minister.

In response, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged Rahul Gandhi to avoid visiting the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava on January 22, stating that there is no competition between Lord Ram and the revered medieval Vaishnav saint. Sarma also announced the deployment of commandos along sensitive routes of minority-dominated areas for Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on the day of the Ram temple consecration ceremony.