The Congress party announced on Wednesday that it will not be participating in the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22.
The decision was revealed through a statement released by the party, accusing the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of advancing the ceremony for electoral gains.
The statement, signed by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, emphasized their commitment to abiding by the 2019 Supreme Court judgment on the Ayodhya dispute. However, it also expressed reservations about the event's timing, labelling it a "clearly an RSS/BJP event."
While acknowledging the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, the Congress leaders respectfully declined the invitation, highlighting their concerns about the ceremony's political undertones.
The invitations were extended to other Congress figures, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, the party's decision to skip the event comes amidst a larger debate on the intersection of religion and politics in the country.
The consecration ceremony, set to be grand, has drawn invited guests from various fields, including top politicians, athletes, and celebrities. Other Opposition leaders invited to the event include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav, and Sitaram Yechury.