The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticized the Congress for declining the invitation extended to its top leaders to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The BJP claimed that the Congress's decision exposes its inherent opposition to India's culture and Hindu religion.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of harboring "jealousy, malice, and inferiority complex" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the party went to the extent of opposing the country and is now opposing God. Trivedi emphasized that the Ram temple in Ayodhya symbolizes the highest values of Indian traditions and culture but claimed that for the Congress and other opposition parties with a similar mindset, extremist politics takes precedence.
While Iqbal Ansari, the Muslim litigant in the land dispute involving the temple and the Babri mosque, accepted the invitation, Trivedi criticized the Congress for choosing to boycott the ceremony. He argued that the Congress has a history of creating hurdles during historic moments for the country and cited instances such as the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the enactment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and presidential addresses to Parliament.
Trivedi rejected the Congress's contention that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had appropriated the event, emphasizing that the temple should not be linked to any organization or ideology. He questioned whether the Congress still supports the idea of rebuilding the mosque that was torn down in Ayodhya in 1992.
Drawing parallels with historical events, Trivedi claimed that the Congress is continuing the legacy of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by disowning the 'Ram Rajya' concept of Mahatma Gandhi. He asserted that the Ram temple, built after 500 years of struggle, is a source of national pride.
The Congress leaders had declined the invitation, accusing the BJP of turning the Ram Temple consecration into a "political project" for electoral gains.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | No One Can Beat Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram Says BJP Leader Rajagopal
