Recently, senior leaders from the Uttar Pradesh Congress traveled to Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti, even though the main leaders from the central party decided not to attend the Ram temple ceremony. The UP Congress group, led by figures like Deepender Singh Hooda, explained that their visit was personal, highlighting the belief that “Lord Ram belongs to everyone.” Despite their earlier commitment to attend the temple event, they engaged in traditional rituals such as taking a dip in the Saryu river, visiting Ram Lalla, and going to Hanumangarhi.
When asked about going against the party’s stance, UP leader Avinash Pande referred to Party Chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement, which said, “those who have faith can go.” Pande clarified that the Congress disapproves of turning the event into a political tool and causing divisions in society. Haryana Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda, part of the UP group, defended his visit, expressing that he regularly visits Ayodhya. On Makar Sankranti, he sought blessings from Ram Lalla, stressing the idea that “Ram belongs to everyone.”
Notably, key leaders like Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the Congress chose not to accept the invitation for the temple consecration. They insisted that religion is a personal matter. The party raised concerns about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) politicizing the Ayodhya temple and accused them of advancing the inauguration for electoral gains. In response to criticism from the BJP, Kharge highlighted the Congress’s focus on addressing public issues like unemployment, inflation, and poverty. He clarified that people with faith are free to visit the temple, emphasizing the party’s commitment to secular governance.
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