As Ayodhya Ram Temple Celebrations Unfold, What Opposition Leaders Are Doing

As the nation rejoices in the historic consecration of the Ram Temple, delve into the distinctive responses of opposition leaders, each navigating their unique path amid the celebratory fervor.

The long-awaited consecration (‘Prana Pratishtha’) of the Ram Lalla idol in Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, took place today, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ‘Prana Pratishtha’ rituals, led by PM Modi, unfolded from 12:20 pm to 1 pm, during an auspicious 84-second ‘Abhijit muhurta.’ Ayodhya is under high alert, draped in saffron, while the entire nation proudly displays ‘Jai Shri Ram’ flags in celebration.

Over 8,000 invites were extended to prominent figures in politics, cinema, and sports. Notable attendees included Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Sachin Tendulkar, and more. While several Opposition leaders were invited, some opted to stay away, citing concerns of politicization surrounding the event.

Opposition Leaders’ During Ram Mandir Consecration

Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, currently on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the Northeast, has become the center of controversy over his scheduled visit to Batadrava Than, the birthplace of social reformer Srimanta Sankardev.

The visit, slated to happen after the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya, has led to a heated exchange between Rahul Gandhi and Assam’s BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma urged Gandhi to delay the visit, fearing a perceived competition with the Ayodhya event and potential conflicting visuals on TV channels.

Batadrava Than, anticipating heavy footfall during the Ayodhya ceremony, has requested Rahul Gandhi to postpone his visit to ensure a smooth experience for the Congress leader.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused Assam Chief Minister Sarma of creating obstacles in the Congress yatra, claiming that Sarma “loses his mental balance” whenever Congress and Rahul Gandhi are mentioned.

In response to a BJP protest along Rahul Gandhi’s yatra route, the Congress has organized a nationwide protest. The protest was triggered by a viral video showing BJP workers raising slogans while Gandhi’s convoy passed. The Congress, in response, emphasised that love will triumph over hate.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, invited for the Ayodhya event with Sonia Gandhi, is actively participating in Rahul Gandhi’s yatra in the Northeast, navigating through the region amidst the controversy surrounding the temple visit.

Mamata Banerjee’s All-Faith Rally:

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chose to counter the narrative surrounding the Ram Mandir consecration by organizing an ‘Sarba Dharma’ rally in Kolkata. Accusing the BJP of exploiting the event for political gains and labeling it an “election gimmick,” Banerjee asserted her party’s stance by deciding not to send any representatives to the Ayodhya ceremony.

AAP Celebrations in Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) orchestrated a series of events across all 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi to mark the Ram Temple’s consecration. Despite not receiving a formal invitation to the Ayodhya event, Kejriwal actively participated in the three-day Ramlila event organized by the Delhi government’s Art, Culture, and Languages department. Kejriwal expressed his intention to visit the temple post-consecration with his family, showcasing a proactive engagement in the festivities while maintaining a stance separate from formal political invitations.

Uddhav Thackeray in Nashik:

In a distinctive approach, Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister, decided not to attend the Ram Mandir ‘Prana Pratishtha’ ceremony in Ayodhya. Instead, he opted to offer prayers at the Kalaram Temple in Nashik and perform a ‘maha aarti’ on the banks of the Godavari River.

DMK vs. BJP Clash

In Tamil Nadu, a clash between the DMK and BJP unfolded, emphasizing the political ramifications of the Ram Mandir consecration. The DMK, led by MK Stalin, expressed disagreement with the temple construction post-mosque demolition. Simultaneously, the BJP accused the ruling party in Tamil Nadu of obstructing public screenings of the Ayodhya event. T

Akhilesh Yadav Plans Special Tribute During Ram Mandir Inauguration

Opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav, invited to the Ram Mandir inauguration, will pay tribute to socialist leader Janeshwar Mishra. Yadav will visit the Ayodhya temple with his family after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event.

Veteran Leaders’ Responses: Sharad Pawar, Lalu Yadav

Key opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Lalu Yadav, made distinctive choices in response to the Ayodhya event. While NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed gratitude for the invitation but chose to visit the Ayodhya temple after the ceremony to avoid the anticipated crowd, Lalu Yadav, a historical figure in the Ram temple movement, decided to skip the event without specifying a reason. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) refrained from attending, citing concerns about the BJP combining religion with politics.

Courtesy : Outlook India

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