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As the grand Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya gets underway today, several key opposition leaders have opted to steer clear of the event. While some were invited but declined to attend, others were left off the guest list entirely. Their alternative plans spotlight the political faultlines.
Rahul Gandhi, leading the Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, will visit the revered Batadrava Than instead. The Than, birthplace of medieval reformer Srimanta Sankardev, had requested Gandhi delay his trip there owing to heavy crowds expected for the Ayodhya event.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urged Gandhi to avoid Batadrava Than today to prevent the impression of competing with the Ram Mandir ceremony. He argued that news channels telecasting both events simultaneously would not bode well for Assam.
Congress leaders accused Sarma of creating roadblocks, claiming he lost his composure on hearing Gandhi's name. They cited a recent incident where BJP workers heckled Gandhi's convoy in Assam, to which he responded by stepping into the crowd.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also invited to Ayodhya, accompanies Gandhi on the Northeast leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
In Kolkata, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee will hold a parallel 'all faith' rally, advocating religious unity. Despite an invite, she chose to visit Kolkata's Kalighat Temple first before leading the harmony march.
Her nephew Abhishek Banerjee criticized the Ayodhya temple as representing "hatred, violence, and dead bodies". The Bengal BJP dismissed his statement as desperate.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal claimed he was verbally invited but did not receive a formal one. Regardless, he expressed intent to visit Ayodhya with his family later, unfazed by the snub.
Kejriwal has urged AAP members to organize community events like recitals and feasts in Delhi to mark the occasion. AAP maintains Lord Ram transcends politics.
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK government led by MK Stalin has denied the BJP's allegation that it banned public viewings of the ceremony. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had condemned the "anti-Hindu, hateful action".
Earlier, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said that while they don't oppose the temple, they disagree with its construction after demolishing a mosque. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK government led by MK Stalin has denied the BJP's allegation that it banned public viewings of the ceremony. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had condemned the "anti-Hindu, hateful action".
Earlier, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said that while they don't oppose the temple, they disagree with its construction after demolishing a mosque.
Veterans like NCP's Sharad Pawar and RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav, both invited, have opted out citing reasons like avoiding crowds.
Pawar's contemporary, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray, will also skip the event. His party colleague Sanjay Raut slammed the invite being sent via speed post rather than personally. He argued the Thackerays were closely involved with the temple movement and deserved better.
Among other opposition leaders, SP's Akhilesh Yadav thanked the organizers but said he'll visit with his family later.
The conspicuous absence of key opposition figures underlines the contentious, politically charged nature of the Ayodhya temple issue. With the BJP at the helm driving the prestigious project, parties across the spectrum have reacted differently, ranging from holding parallel events to gracefully opting out. Their counter-messaging spotlights the simmering debate around the temple's legacy. As Modi prepares to consecrate the ambitious temple, politics and religion remain intertwined.
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